Wisconsin clerks print ballots even as RFK Jr. sues to get his name off them

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing challenges in getting his name removed from the Wisconsin ballots as county clerks prepare to distribute them to municipal clerks for the upcoming elections.

Kennedy filed as an independent candidate on the Wisconsin deadline of August 6 but withdrew his presidential bid on August 25, endorsing former President Donald Trump. Despite this, his name remains on the ballot as per state law.

Efforts to have his name removed have been unsuccessful in multiple states, including Michigan and North Carolina. The Wisconsin Elections Commission denied his request, leading to a legal battle where Kennedy argues for equal treatment of third-party and major-party candidates.

County clerks are under pressure to deliver ballots to municipal clerks by the September 19 deadline for mailing absentee ballots to voters with requests on record. Milwaukee County alone has over 600,000 ballots to print, with significant costs and logistical challenges in reprinting them if needed.

There are concerns that covering Kennedy’s name with stickers could disrupt ballot machines, which are sensitive to weight and sensors. Municipal clerks have already begun distributing ballots, complicating the situation further.

Kennedy’s legal team is seeking swift action from the courts to address his case and remove his name from the ballots. If successful, counties like Eau Claire would have to reprint ballots at short notice.

Despite the challenges, Kennedy still maintains a 6% share of the Wisconsin vote in recent polls, making him one of the most recognized third-party candidates on the ballot.