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A federal judge has rejected Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s request to remove his name from the Michigan ballot, which could harm Donald Trump’s chances in a key state.

Kennedy, who ran as an independent, withdrew from the race last month and endorsed Trump, but failed to establish himself as an alternative for voters in Michigan, one of the swing states that could play a decisive role in choosing the next president.

The latest rejection came after the state Supreme Court also rejected his efforts last week.

His presence on the ballot in Michigan could hurt Trump in the politically divided state if Kennedy’s supporters support him rather than vote for the former president.

Mr Kennedy’s lawyer argued today that his First Amendment rights were being violated by listing his name as the Natural Law Party candidate while he publicly stated he would drop out and support Mr Trump.

But U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood said Kennedy’s “interest in unilaterally withdrawing his candidacy and having his name removed from the ballot is outweighed by the state’s interest in preserving the integrity of the ballot.”

“If the withdrawal is allowed, the Natural Law Party will no longer have a candidate on its electoral list, no way to replace (Mr Kennedy) and it risks losing access to the ballot papers at the next general election,” the judge added.

Election officials in Michigan said 90% of ballots have already been printed.

Just making new ballots to remove Kennedy’s name would cost half a million dollars in the state’s largest county, state lawyers said.