North Carolina Supreme Court Orders RFK Jr.’s Removal From State Ballot—After Michigan Top Court Ruled Differently
Summary
The North Carolina Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s name must be struck from the state’s ballot. This comes just hours after a divergent verdict from the Michigan Supreme Court, which chose to keep Kennedy on the ballot. Kennedy, a former independent presidential candidate who withdrew from the race and endorsed Donald Trump, will be subject to different rulings in different states. This article provides a thorough insight into these legal battles and their potential implications.
Closer Look at the Verdicts
In a narrow 4-3 ruling, the North Carolina Supreme Court upheld a prior appeals court decision to remove Kennedy’s name from the ballot, thereby delaying the state’s process of sending out mail-in ballots. Justifying the ruling, Justice Trey Allen highlighted that the costs and time spent on printing new ballots are necessary for protecting voters’ fundamental right to vote according to their conscience and to ensure that the vote actually counts.
State officials had already printed over 2.9 million absentee and in-person ballots with Kennedy’s name on them, which will now have to be reprinted with the counties bearing the cost. In contrast, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that Kennedy must stay on the state’s ballot, reversing a previous lower court order from last week.
The Path from Independence to Endorsement
Running as an independent candidate, Kennedy withdrew from the presidential race last month after admitting that he didn’t see a realistic path towards an electoral victory. He subsequently endorsed former President Donald Trump, joining forces “as a unity party.”
Prior to his withdrawal, Kennedy had managed to secure his name on the ballot in more than 20 states. However, he later committed to removing his name from the ballots in around 10 battleground states where his presence could potentially influence the outcome. As of now, Kennedy has successfully removed his name from the ballots in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, Arizona, and now, North Carolina. However, his name continues to appear on the ballot in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Impact on the Election Process
The legal battles surrounding Kennedy’s withdrawal have thrown a spanner in the works of the election process. North Carolina has received 136,000 absentee ballot requests as of last week. But the state Supreme Court’s decision will now delay the mailing out process, potentially affecting the voting dynamics of the election. With the divergent rulings in different states, it remains to be seen how this drama will unfold in the lead-up to the election day.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
NOVI STAFF WRITER The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
