Robert F. Kennedy Jr. generated political shockwaves last month by suspending his campaign and throwing his support behind former President Donald Trump.

However, the former independent candidate is fighting an uphill battle to get his name removed from the ballot in swing states. 

Expert says Kennedy may draw votes from Trump despite endorsement

The Hill noted in an article published on Monday that experts believe that despite his endorsement, having Kennedy's name on the ballot will still draw support away from Trump.

They include Christopher Thrasher, a ballot access consultant who analyzes third-party campaigns. He told the website, "If a candidate is on the ballot, someone will vote for them regardless."

"The primaries showed as much this year on both sides. How many votes is anyone's guess at this point," Thrasher went on to add.

WKAR noted last week that Kennedy's campaign has unsuccessfully sought to have his name withdrawn in Michigan, where he was nominated by the Natural Law Party.

Michigan and Wisconsin move to keep Kennedy's name on ballot

"Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign reached out to the Michigan Bureau of Elections late this afternoon in an attempt to withdraw his name," bureau spokesperson Cheri Hardmon told the local news outlet.

"The Natural Law Party held their convention to select electors for Robert Kennedy Jr.. They cannot meet at this point to select new electors since it's past the primary," she added.

Kennedy has a similar problem in neighboring Wisconsin, where the Wisconsin Elections Commission decided to reject the former candidate's removal request.

Its members pointed to a Wisconsin law which states, "Any person who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination."

Kennedy files lawsuit in North Carolina

Meanwhile, Fox News reported that Kennedy has filed a lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Elections as part of an effort to get his name delisted in the Tar Heel State.

RFK Jr. sues North Carolina to remove name from ballot before election https://t.co/jngbH6zByG

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) September 1, 2024

"With the November election looming and ballot deadlines fast-approaching, Kennedy has no choice but to turn to this Court for immediate relief," his complaint states.

Board Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell pointed to logistical challenges which prevent Kennedy's removal, saying, "When we talk about printing a ballot, we are not talking about ... pressing ‘copy’ on a Xerox machine. This is a much more complex and layered process."