HomePoliticsWisconsin lawmakers are proposing a way for candidates like RFK Jr. to...

Wisconsin lawmakers are proposing a way for candidates like RFK Jr. to get rid of the vote in the future

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin want to change state law to allow candidates to remove their names from the ballot, addressing an issue that arose after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last tried to get out of the presidential elections last year, but that was not possible.

Kennedy wanted to remove his name from the ballot in Wisconsin and six other swing states after dropping his independent bid at the end of August and backing Republican Donald Trump in the close race. Kennedy did not fight for removal in most states where the presidential race was not competitive.

Kennedy successfully removed his name from the ballot in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada. But he remained on the ballot in Michigan because the courts there said he filed his petition too late. And he stayed in Wisconsin because, under state law, a certified candidate can be removed from the ballot if he or she dies.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Wisconsin’s expungement law is one of the most restrictive in the country.

Kennedy took his get-out-the-vote fight in Wisconsin and Michigan to the U.S. Supreme Court, but his emergency request was denied without comment. His request came after early voting had begun in both states.

A pair of Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin on Tuesday circulated a co-sponsored bill that would change state law to allow candidates for state and federal offices to remove their names from the ballot. However, it would not apply to major party candidates for president because of the unique way they are selected, the bill’s co-sponsors said.

Under the proposal, a candidate could withdraw his candidacy by filing an affidavit with the Wisconsin Elections Commission and paying a nominal fee.

See also  Russia's top diplomat praises Trump's views on the conflict in Ukraine

To become law, the bill would have to be approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. His spokesperson did not return a message requesting comment on the measure.

Trump won in Wisconsin and Michigan, despite Kennedy remaining on the ballot. The number of votes Kennedy received in each state was smaller than Trump’s margin of victory.

In Wisconsin, Kennedy received fewer than 18,000 votes, or about 0.5% of the vote total. In Michigan he received about 27,000 votes, also about 0.5% of the total. Trump won Wisconsin by about 29,000 votes and he won Michigan by about 80,000 votes.

Trump has nominated Kennedy to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

- Advertisement -
RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments