In a significant legal development, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been removed from the presidential ballots in both North Carolina and Michigan, following appeals court decisions in both states.
These rulings have prompted delays in absentee ballot distribution as state officials scramble to adjust their election processes to fit the final slate of candidates, as NBC News reports.
In North Carolina, an appeals court on Friday reversed a previous lower court ruling and ordered Kennedy’s name to be removed from the ballot. The ruling came just a day after the lower court had denied the request, setting off a chain of actions among election officials to halt the mailing of ballots to voters.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections quickly responded to the ruling, emailing county election officials to stop the mailing of ballots. According to Paul Cox, general counsel for the state election authority, officials are now reviewing the order to determine the next steps. "Obviously, this will be a major undertaking for everyone," Cox said.
As a result of the court decision, North Carolina counties are required to reprint ballots, an action that is expected to significantly delay the mailing process. This could especially affect military personnel and overseas voters who rely on receiving their ballots in a timely manner to cast their votes.
In Michigan, a similar scenario is unfolding. An appeals court ruled to remove Kennedy from the state’s ballot, a decision that clashes with the stance taken by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Benson had supported keeping Kennedy on the ballot, but now faces an uphill battle in appealing the ruling.
Angela Benander, spokesperson for Benson, announced that an appeal will be filed immediately. With military and overseas ballots needing to be mailed by Sept. 21, Michigan is working under tight deadlines. Absentee ballots for the general public are scheduled for release on Sept. 26, further compounding the urgency of the situation.
Benander emphasized the critical nature of adhering to these deadlines to ensure that all eligible voters, especially those serving abroad, have the opportunity to participate in the 2024 election. “Benson plans to appeal immediately, as military and overseas ballots must go out soon,” Benander said in a statement.
Kennedy’s removal from the ballot comes after the presidential candidate withdrew from the race and endorsed former President Donald Trump. Initially running as a third-party candidate, Kennedy’s presence on the ballot had been seen as potentially weakening support for the Republican nominee.
The legal battles over ballot access are not expected to end with these decisions. In both North Carolina and Michigan, election authorities are reviewing their options, and additional appeals could arise in the coming days. Officials in both states are grappling with how to move forward while balancing legal requirements and voter access.
For voters, particularly those who are serving overseas, these delays could present obstacles to receiving and returning ballots in time. The pressure is now on state officials to rectify the situation quickly, ensuring minimal disruption to the election process.
While the cost of reprinting ballots is one major concern, the implications for the broader election timeline are just as pressing. States must balance the need to follow court rulings with the need to ensure a fair and accessible election process for all citizens, including those abroad.
As the November 2024 election approaches, these ballot issues add another layer of complexity to what is already shaping up to be a contentious election season. With appeals likely, the situation in North Carolina and Michigan will continue to develop in the coming weeks.
