Robert Kennedy Jr.'s move to endorse Donald Trump has hit a snag, with certain states refusing to remove his name from the ballot, potentially threatening Trump's election chances.
The intricate U.S. electoral process is to blame, as U.S. residents don't elect the president directly, but instead elect their state's electors. Kennedy's plan to be erased from the ballot in contested states is proving to be a challenging task.
In an attempt to assist Trump, Kennedy announced his withdrawal, stating he'd only like his supporters to cast their votes for him in states where the result is certain. However, the Michigan and Wisconsin election commissions shot down his request, citing their respective bylaws. The North Carolina commission is yet to make a decision, but given that the ballots have already been printed, Kennedy's name is unlikely to be removed.
The latest polls indicate that the difference between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is narrow, and Kennedy's absence from the ballot could give Trump an edge, particularly in crucial swing states. For instance, in Wisconsin, Harris leads by 4.3 percentage points, but polls suggest that a sizable number of voters would cast their ballots for Kennedy if he were an option. If not, Harris's lead over Trump would decrease significantly.
However, Kennedy's efforts to be removed from the ballots in Michigan and Wisconsin have been denied, as it appears his name will remain on the ballot for the November election.
Enrichment data:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s request to be removed from the ballot in contested U.S. states does not directly impact Donald Trump's election prospects. Although Trump has expressed his gratitude for Kennedy's endorsement, Kennedy's nomination and potential removal from a ballot do not have a direct impact on Trump's campaign strategies or support base. The political landscape in the U.S. South, as discussed in the 2024 election results, shows that Trump performed well in the region, winning 10 out of 11 states in the Old Confederacy. This suggests that Trump's appeal and support base are not directly affected by Kennedy's nomination or any potential removal from a ballot.
