A warning from a respected law professor signals a potential surge in states and courts aiming to prevent former President Donald Trump from featuring on 2024 election ballots unless the U.S. Supreme Court steps in.
The recent move by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, to exclude Trump from the state’s ballot underscores the pressing need for the Supreme Court to provide clear guidelines on states’ authority in this matter. Law professor Rick Hasen, hailing from the University of California-Los Angeles, stresses the necessity for definitive guidance to avoid conflicting decisions across states.
Bellows’ decision, as the first top election official unilaterally removing a presidential candidate under a specific provision, has stirred controversy. A similar decision by the Colorado Supreme Court adds complexity, despite Colorado’s secretary of state confirming Trump’s inclusion on the primary ballot.
CNN legal analyst Elie Honig questions the legitimacy of Bellows’ decision, highlighting its reliance on unconventional sources such as YouTube clips and news reports. He emphasizes the importance of the Supreme Court’s involvement in safeguarding voter rights and the stability of the country’s political landscape.
Both the Maine and Colorado decisions hinge on interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Section 3, a Civil War-era clause barring candidates involved in rebellion or insurrection. Despite facing multiple charges, Trump has not been convicted of these crimes.
Numerous lawsuits, propelled by left-wing groups and a Republican candidate, seek to disqualify Trump, alleging his involvement in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. However, the California secretary of state chose not to remove Trump from the ballot, underscoring the gravity of such a decision.
As legal battles unfold, the fate of Trump’s candidacy rests in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court, with a Republican-backed petition already submitted to appeal the Colorado decision. The Supreme Court is presently on break until January 8, temporarily placing both Colorado and Maine decisions on hold.
The Trump campaign, responding promptly, plans to appeal Bellows’ decision in Maine, alleging an ongoing attempt to “steal an election” and disenfranchise American voters. With the legal process underway, the nation awaits the final decision from the highest court on whether Trump will appear on ballots in Maine and other states.
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