Maine excludes Trump; SCOTUS reviews state power to bar presidents
Portland, December 29: Maine's Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, took a significant step by removing former President Donald Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot, citing the Constitution's insurrection clause. This action comes amidst the pending decision by the US Supreme Court on Trump's eligibility to run for the presidency again.
Bellows' decision echoes a previous ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that excluded Trump from their ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which restricts those involved in insurrection from holding office. The enforcement of the Colorado decision is on hold until the US Supreme Court determines Trump's status regarding this provision.
The Trump campaign plans to contest Bellows' decision in Maine's state courts, leading to a potential final judgment by the US Supreme Court. Bellows justified her ruling based on Trump's involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, which she deemed as a violation of Section 3. This decision arose from challenges by state residents, including bipartisan former lawmakers, questioning Trump's eligibility for the ballot.
Bellows emphasised the gravity of her decision, highlighting the unprecedented nature of a Secretary of State denying a presidential candidate ballot access under Section 3. However, she underlined the unparalleled circumstances where a presidential candidate engaged in insurrection.
The Trump campaign strongly criticised the ruling, accusing it of attempting to steal the election and disenfranchise voters. Legal experts stress the significance of the Supreme Court's clarification on states' authority regarding Section 3, as it remains an uncharted territory for the court's interpretation.
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