RFK Jr. Gets Hundreds of Thousands of Votes Despite Discouraging Voters

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received over 600,000 votes in the election despite his explicit instructions to supporters not to vote for him, raising questions about voter awareness and the complexities of ballot removal.

At a Glance

RFK Jr. received over 600,000 votes (0.4% of total) despite withdrawing his candidacy.
He urged supporters to vote for Donald Trump instead.
Kennedy’s name remained on 33 state ballots despite efforts to remove it.
The Supreme Court denied his appeals to remove his name in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Kennedy maintained 3-5% support in some states even after withdrawing.

Kennedy’s Unexpected Votes and Ballot Presence

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. garnered over 640,000 votes in the recent election, as of November 8, equivalent to roughly 0.4% of the total popular votes. This outcome occurred despite Kennedy’s public withdrawal from the presidential race and his repeated appeals to supporters not to vote for him. The situation highlights the challenges candidates face when attempting to remove their names from ballots after officially entering the race.

Kennedy’s name appeared on ballots in 33 states, despite his efforts to have it removed. Notably, he was absent from ballots in several key states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The former candidate’s attempts to withdraw from the race were complicated by legal and logistical hurdles, as many states argued it was too late to remove his name due to early voting processes already being underway.

Legal Challenges

Kennedy’s campaign faced significant legal obstacles in their efforts to remove his name from ballots in crucial swing states. The Supreme Court denied his appeals to be removed from ballots in Wisconsin and Michigan, two states that play pivotal roles in presidential elections. This decision came after Kennedy had suspended his campaign in August and subsequently endorsed Donald Trump.

“I’ve asked my voters repeatedly to vote for President Trump, but even a few votes for me in [Michigan] could swing the ballot in a way that the public doesn’t intend and the voters don’t intend.” Kennedy said ahead of Election Day.

The presence of Kennedy’s name on these ballots, despite his withdrawal and endorsement of Trump, made it easy for voters to choose his name. This was evident in the substantial number of votes he received, even after making public statements urging his supporters not to vote for him.

Kennedy’s Shift in Support

Kennedy’s political journey took an unexpected turn when he suspended his independent campaign and threw his support behind Donald Trump. This shift was communicated through various channels, including social media and public appearances. Kennedy emphasized that voting for Trump was the only way to bring his mission and values to Washington, D.C.

Despite these clear instructions, Kennedy maintained a surprising level of support in some states. Polls reportedly showed he still held 3% support in Michigan and Wisconsin, and 6% among Independents and 5% among Republicans in other surveys. This persistent support, even after his withdrawal, raises questions about the effectiveness of campaign messaging and the loyalty of certain voter segments.