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The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that the State Board of Elections must reprint ballots to remove Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK) name after he has suspended his campaign and endorsed former president Donald Trump.
Let’s bring you up to speed: Earlier this month, RFK announced he would withdraw his name from the ballot in 10 key battleground states to support Trump’s presidential bid. Kennedy explained that internal polling indicated his presence on the ballot in these states could harm Trump’s chances and help Vice President Harris win the election. RFK informed his supporters that in states where his name would remain on the ballot—traditionally “safe” Republican and Democrat-leaning states—they could still cast their votes for him. Despite this, North Carolina argued against removing RFK’s name from the ballot despite his request to withdraw. The state said the request came too late to make changes without disrupting election procedures.
What’s going on now: The North Carolina Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, ordered the State Board of Elections to reprint ballots to remove RFK’s name following his official suspension from the presidential race. The court emphasized that voters must receive accurate information about candidates, stating, “To protect this important right, the elections process should ensure that voters are presented with accurate information regarding the candidates running for an elected office. Where a ballot contains misleading information or inaccurately lists the candidates, it risks interfering with the right to vote according to one’s conscience.”
RFK’s attorney reacts: In a statement following the ruling, Aaron Siri, Kennedy’s attorney, said, “Mr. Kennedy suspended his campaign weeks ago, he decision today by the North Carolina Supreme Court to remove Mr. Kennedy’s name from the ballot will assure that nobody in North Carolina votes for a candidate who is no longer running in their state.”
Why it matters: North Carolina, a key swing state in US elections, often flips between parties. With Kennedy off the ballot, some think that Trump could gain an edge over Vice President Harris. Polls show a tight race between the two. Latest polling is attached.
