RFK Jr.: On Election Day, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a surprising message for anyone seeing his name on the ballot: “Don’t vote for me.” After initially running as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential race, Kennedy dropped out in August and endorsed former President Donald Trump. Despite ending his campaign, Kennedy’s name remains on ballots in multiple states, leading him to ask supporters to back Trump instead.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Kennedy shared, “If you want to see me in Washington, DC, VOTE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.” This message comes as his name still appears in several states due to a Supreme Court ruling that blocked his removal from ballots, especially in states where voting had already started.

Why Is Kennedy Still on Ballots?

Kennedy’s name is still on ballots in key states, like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, even though he suspended his campaign months ago. This is because the Supreme Court denied his request to remove his name in late October, as absentee and early voting had already begun in many locations.

In Michigan alone, officials reported that over 1.5 million absentee ballots had already been submitted by the time of the ruling, making it too late to withdraw Kennedy’s name. Election officials in Michigan told the court that, “This election is already underway, and voters are already voting.”

Kennedy initially tried to withdraw only from competitive states to avoid drawing votes away from Trump, who he now backs. However, he left his name on ballots in non-battleground states like Illinois, where he isn’t expected to affect the overall election results.

Why Did Kennedy Endorse Trump?

When Kennedy dropped out of the race in August, he publicly endorsed Trump, citing shared beliefs on issues like free speech, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and children’s health. During a speech in Phoenix, he stated that he chose to support Trump due to a vision to tackle processed foods and chemicals he believes are harmful to children. Kennedy also hinted that Trump offered him a role in his administration if elected, involving healthcare and policies on food and drugs.

Trump has since hinted at campaign rallies that Kennedy could play a significant role in healthcare if he wins, and Kennedy himself has posted statements about proposed health changes under a potential Trump administration, such as removing fluoride from public water sources.

Where Can You Still Vote for Kennedy?

While Kennedy is on ballots in 31 states, he is missing in 19 others where officials granted his request for removal. States like Illinois, where his name remains, will still count votes for Kennedy despite his campaign suspension. The Illinois Board of Elections certified ballots in August, and Kennedy did not challenge his placement in non-competitive states.

As Election Day unfolds, Kennedy’s request remains clear: If you want to support his vision, he believes a vote for Trump is the way to go.