Wisconsin Governor Signs Bill Allowing Candidates to Withdraw from Ballots

Mon Nov 03 2025 09:40:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant legislative move, Wisconsin's Governor Tony Evers has enacted a bipartisan bill that permits candidates to remove their names from ballots, responding to operational gaps revealed during the last presidential election. The new law primarily affects independent candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who sought withdrawal from his ballot position.

Wisconsin's Governor Tony Evers has signed a bill allowing candidates to withdraw their names from state and federal election ballots. Previously, candidates could only be removed if they died, which came to light when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw amid his presidential campaign. The new law requires candidates to file a sworn statement and a fee to rescind their ballots, though it excludes major party candidates. This legislation reflects the need for more flexible candidate management in Wisconsin elections.

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill on Friday allowing candidates to withdraw their names from ballots, addressing a significant issue identified during the 2024 election cycle when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attempted to remove himself from the presidential ballot.

Previously, candidates could only be removed from the ballot in Wisconsin if they died, making this new law one of the most important changes to the election process in the state.

In late August, Kennedy, having dropped his presidential bid to endorse Republican Donald Trump, sought to withdraw from ballots in key swing states including Wisconsin. While he successfully managed to be removed in states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, Wisconsin law prohibited his removal, leading to his name remaining on the ballot.

Under the new legislation, candidates for state and federal offices have the right to rescind their candidacies, although this does not apply to candidates from major parties due to their selection process. Kennedy's case has highlighted the necessity of this update in the legislative framework.

The process for candidates to withdraw requires submitting a sworn statement to the Wisconsin Elections Commission along with a nominal fee, enabling candidates like Kennedy to avoid running after they've decided to step down.

In news surrounding the recent election results, during the presidential race, Kennedy garnered less than 18,000 votes in Wisconsin — about 0.5% — while Trump won the state by approximately 29,000 votes.

Governor Evers signed the measure without comment, indicating a bipartisan agreement on this issue and a step forward in adapting Wisconsin's election laws to current political realities.