Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court to have his name removed from the presidential ballot in Wisconsin. This move comes after Kennedy demanded to remain on New York's ballot but later suspended his independent campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump.
In his appeal, Kennedy argues that Wisconsin is infringing on his First Amendment rights by keeping his name as an option for voters. His attorneys claim that his endorsement of Trump is protected political speech under the First Amendment.
While seeking removal from battleground states like Wisconsin and potentially Michigan, Kennedy has encouraged supporters to vote for him in states where third-party candidates are less likely to impact the election outcome.
This latest appeal was filed with Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who handles requests from the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The 7th Circuit had previously ruled against Kennedy.
Earlier in September, the Supreme Court rejected Kennedy's request to appear on New York's ballot without comment or noted dissents. The court's decision highlights the ongoing debate over ballot access for third-party and independent candidates and their potential impact on close elections.
Notably, the Supreme Court also denied a request from the Green Party to include presidential candidate Jill Stein on the ballot in Nevada, further emphasizing the scrutiny surrounding third-party candidates in the electoral process.