# If RFK, Jr. Drops out, how does this impact the election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 21, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004 "2024-08-21T16:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/81 "2024-08-25T02:03:12Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > When you vote for president, you are actually voting for who gets sent to the Electoral College. Then they vote for president. I get that, but on my ballot (Washington) there is no list of electors nor does the headline on that section say anything about electors. It just says “PRESIDENT - Four-year term - choose one”, followed by a list of candidates and their running mate and party preference (candidates may state any party that they prefer even if it does not exist). I’m pretty sure in California it was the same. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/82 "2024-08-25T02:18:34Z")
Thanks, that’s an interesting article about MI. His electors in MI aren’t even from his party. They are staying on the ballot due to timing, but it’s unclear if they would have agreed to step down. There’s some upside to staying on with his name at the top. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/83 "2024-08-25T02:28:18Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > [Kennedy’s] electors in MI aren’t even from his party. As far as I can ascertain, Kennedy doesn’t have a party – not a national one, anyway. **[He was on the ballots of many states under the banner of many different parties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Kennedy_Jr._2024_presidential_campaign#Ballot_access)**, most of which were strictly state-level parties. A few nonce parties, as well. As for his electors “agreeing to step down”, I don’t believe they have a say in the matter at all. Kennedy drops out and wherever his name is removed from a ballot, his electors disappear. There’s no avenue for Kennedy’s former electors to dig in their heels and insist on some role in a state’s overall presidential election process. When Kennedy’s done, they’re done. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/84 "2024-08-26T00:33:05Z")
I’m more concerned with West impact in states like GA which could cost her ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/85 "2024-08-26T01:37:21Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > He said he “won’t take sides on 9/11” FFS. There is _nothing_ worse an American politician could say Well, there’s taking Side #2… ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/86 "2024-08-26T03:07:26Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Well, there’s taking Side #2… I mean only sort of. If there is one side of an issue that is clearly heinously evil and another that is not, if you claim you aren’t taking sides everyone knows which side you are taking, but are too scared to admit. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/87 "2024-08-26T03:22:12Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Well, there’s taking Side #2… Well, there are more than two sides to it, but I shall say no more. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/88 "2024-08-27T17:22:10Z")
He may not have time to remove his name from all the states he qualified for: > **[RFK may be unable to withdraw his name from ballots in some swing states](https://www.npr.org/2024/08/26/g-s1-19634/rfk-jr-withdraw-ballot-battleground-states-michigan-north-carolina)** > > In dropping his presidential bid, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he'd seek to remove his name from about 10 battleground state ballots, but an NPR review finds it is likely not possible in certain states. > [@](#): > > But an NPR review finds it may not be possible for Kennedy to remove his name from ballots in some key swing states, including Nevada and Wisconsin. So even though he’s out of the election, he would very likely get some votes on any ballots where his name appears. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/89 "2024-08-27T22:12:07Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > But an NPR review finds it may not be possible for Kennedy to remove his name from ballots in some key swing states, including Nevada and Wisconsin. > > So even though he’s out of the election, he would very likely get some votes on any ballots where his name appears. . Easy prediction: Trump will be irrationally enraged at Kennedy for taking ‘his’ votes in those particular states. Kennedy may even get a nickname… ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/90 "2024-08-28T00:05:52Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > So even though he’s out of the election, he would very likely get some votes on any ballots where his name appears. Definitely on the ballot in WI and MI. > **[RFK Jr. won't be able to remove himself from ballots in Michigan and Wisconsin](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rfk-jr-remain-on-ballot-michigan-wisconsin-rcna168506)** > > Election officials in the two swing states confirm that Kennedy's name will remain on their ballots despite his decision to drop out and back Trump. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/91 "2024-08-28T02:40:16Z")
I posted this over in the JD Vance area of stuff but it seems very relevant here. RFK Jr is a fucking nutjob. > [@JD Vance Discussion Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jd-vance-discussion-thread/1005892/199): > > WT ever loving F? He picked up road killed bear and left it in Central park. He also chainsawed the head of a whale off and bungied it to the roof of his car. What does his daughter have to say about this outlandish suggestion? > > > [@](#): > > > > “Every time we accelerated on the highway, whale juice would pour into the windows of the car, and it was the rankest thing on the planet,” Kick Kennedy told Town and Country in 2012. “We all had plastic bags over our heads with mouth holes cut out, and people on the highway were giving us the finger, but that was just normal [day-to-day stuff](https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/05/rfk-bear-central-park-nyc-video/74670249007/) for us.” > > I think the brain worms died due to lack of sustenance. > > [Did RFK Jr. behead dead whale on Cape Cod? Advocacy group wants probe](https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2024/08/27/rfk-jr-dead-whale-cape-cod-investigation-kick-kennedy-hyannisport/74969486007/) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/92 "2024-08-28T03:27:57Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > RFK Jr is a fucking nutjob. > **[RFK Jr. Couldn’t Have Given Worse Jeffrey Epstein Answer if He Tried](https://newrepublic.com/post/179637/robert-f-kennedy-jr-jeffrey-epstein)** > > Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave a truly unhinged reply on this one. > “I’m in New York for most of my life. You run into everybody in New York,” Kennedy said. “I mean, I know Harvey Weinstein. I knew Roger Ailes. I knew, O.J. Simpson came to my house. Bill Cosby came to my house.” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/93 "2024-08-29T15:12:45Z")
> [@](#): > > When voters supporting third-party candidates were asked for their second choice, 32% said Harris, 24% West and 15% Trump. Interesting. I don’t think it is conclusive, but it is interesting to see what third party voters answered since this poll was done after RFK, jr. left the race. From here: > **[Exclusive: Kamala Harris surges ahead of Donald Trump in latest poll taken...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/29/kamala-harris-donald-trump-suffolk-usa-today-poll-results/74984967007/)** > > Big shifts by Hispanic and Black voters, young people and lower-income Americans give the new Democratic nominee momentum. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/94 "2024-08-29T17:52:15Z")
This doesn’t move the needle much at all. Silver still awards Harris a 3.8 percent lead, and Pennsylvania remains almost tied. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/95 "2024-08-29T20:05:16Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Definitely on the ballot in WI and MI. And North Carolina: > **[RFK Jr.'s name to remain on presidential ballot in North Carolina](https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/rfk-jrs-remain-presidential-ballot-north-carolina-113253453)** > > North Carolina’s elections board has refused to remove Robert F ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/96 "2024-09-03T18:26:50Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Easy prediction: Trump will be irrationally enraged at Kennedy for taking ‘his’ votes in those particular states. My prediction is that Trump will try to claim that since Kennedy endorsed him any votes for Kennedy should be added to Trump’s total, and I further predict that his followers will believe it and cry foul when it fails to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004/97 "2024-09-04T20:58:56Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > My prediction is that Trump will try to claim that since Kennedy endorsed him any votes for Kennedy should be added to Trump’s total, and I further predict that his followers will believe it and cry foul when it fails to happen. I will not bet against you, here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rfk-jr-drops-out-how-does-this-impact-the-election/1006004.md?page=4)