BY Benjamin ClarkSeptember 30, 2024
2 weeks ago
BY 
 | September 30, 2024
2 weeks ago

RFK Jr.'s Bid to Exit Michigan Ballot Denied by Appeals Court

A U.S. Court of Appeals panel dealt a blow to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to have his name removed from Michigan ballots for the upcoming presidential election.

The Detroit News reported that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 decision on Friday, siding with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's office. 

Judge Eric Lee Clay, who authored the majority opinion, emphasized the potential disruption that altering the ballot at this late stage could cause.

With only 39 days remaining until the November 5 presidential election, the court deemed the requested changes impractical and potentially harmful to voting rights and efficient election administration.

Legal Battle and Political Implications

Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and former President John F. Kennedy's nephew, suspended his presidential campaign on August 23 and endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump. Despite this, his name remains on the Michigan ballot due to his earlier nomination by the Natural Law Party in April.

The former candidate's legal team has argued for his name to be removed from the ballot, but their efforts have been consistently rebuffed.

Before the appeals court decision, the Michigan Supreme Court and a federal district court judge had reached similar conclusions, maintaining Kennedy's presence on the ballot.

During a town hall event in Bath Township on Thursday night, Kennedy appeared to acknowledge his legal defeat, stating:

My name is going to be on the ballot. But I am asking people not to check my name, but to check Donald Trump's name because that's the only way I am going to get to Washington.

Dissenting Opinion and Ballot Integrity

While the majority opinion favored maintaining the current ballot, Judge David McKeague offered a dissenting view.

McKeague, a nominee of Republican former President George W. Bush, argued that Secretary Benson's actions amounted to an attempt to influence the presidential election through manipulation of state election procedures.

In his dissent, McKeague stated:

Secretary Benson's decision to add Kennedy to the ballot was arbitrary. It was unchecked. It conveys a message that Kennedy does not wish to send. And it will cause voters to waste their fundamental right to vote.

This dissenting opinion highlights the complex nature of ballot integrity and the challenges faced by election officials in balancing legal requirements with candidate preferences.

Natural Law Party Nomination and Subsequent Endorsement

The roots of this legal controversy trace back to April when the Natural Law Party nominated Kennedy for president in Michigan.

At the time, Doug Dern, chairman of the Natural Law Party in Michigan, expressed confidence that Kennedy aligned perfectly with the party's vision for a presidential candidate.

However, the political landscape shifted dramatically in August when Kennedy announced the suspension of his campaign and his endorsement of Donald Trump. This unexpected move set off a chain of legal battles in battleground states, including Michigan, over the status of Kennedy's name on official ballots.

Secretary Benson's office has maintained that there is no legal standard in Michigan for removing a minor party candidate once nominated.

Her legal team argued that a nominated candidate "bears the flag of their party, and their interests as a candidate are no longer exclusively their own."

In conclusion, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s attempt to remove his name from Michigan ballots was rejected by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The decision upholds previous rulings by the Michigan Supreme Court and a federal district court judge. Kennedy, who suspended his campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, will remain on the ballot due to his earlier nomination by the Natural Law Party, despite his current stance urging voters to support Trump.

Written by: Benjamin Clark

NATIONAL NEWS

SEE ALL

DOJ Lawsuit Targets Virginia Over Voter Roll Cleansing Practices

The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently initiated legal action against the Commonwealth of Virginia for allegedly purging non-citizens from voter lists too close to election…
4 hours ago
 • By Benjamin Clark

UNC Football Star Tylee Craft Dies at 23 After Bout with Rare Cancer

The University of North Carolina community mourns the loss of Tylee Craft, a promising star on the football field, who succumbed to a rare form…
4 hours ago
 • By Benjamin Clark

Trump Halts Golf Activities in Wake of Second Assassination Attempt

In light of recent security threats, former President Donald Trump has decided to cease all golf-related activities, a decision made in response to a second…
4 hours ago
 • By Benjamin Clark

Herschel Walker Criticizes Obama's Appeal For Race-Based Voting

In a sharp political critique, former Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker rebuked Barack Obama for remarks that suggested African American voters should consider race when…
17 hours ago
 • By Benjamin Clark

Donald Trump Set for Fox News Female-Centric Town Hall

In a notable pivot from traditional campaign methods, former President Donald Trump is gearing up for a unique, pre-taped all-female town hall in Georgia. Trump’s…
17 hours ago
 • By Benjamin Clark

DON'T WAIT.

We publish the objective news, period. If you want the facts, then sign up below and join our movement for objective news:

    LATEST NEWS

    Newsletter

    Get news from American Digest in your inbox.

      By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: American Digest, 3000 S. Hulen Street, Ste 124 #1064, Fort Worth, TX, 76109, US, http://americandigest.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.
      Christian News Alerts is a conservative Christian publication. Share our articles to help spread the word.
      © 2024 - CHRISTIAN NEWS ALERTS - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
      magnifier