Former President Donald Trump’s eligibility on the Maine presidential primary ballot has been temporarily suspended as Judge Michaela Murphy awaits a U.S. Supreme Court verdict on a related case in Colorado.
The decision follows Trump’s legal challenge to Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ determination that he does not meet the ballot qualifications under the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause, referencing his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Judge Murphy, recognizing the limitations on her authority to halt proceedings, has asserted her ability to guide the case, opting to send it back to Bellows with instructions to await the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, echoing a report from The Associated Press on Thursday, January 17.
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Emphasizing the need for consistency, Judge Murphy drew parallels between the Maine and Colorado cases, stating, “Put simply, the United State Supreme Court’s acceptance of the Colorado case changes everything.â€
This legal standoff marks the first instance of an election official barring Trump under the insurrection clause, a provision under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, previously untested by the nation’s highest court. Legal scholars argue that Trump’s post-2020 election actions could fall under this constitutional provision.
Trump vehemently contests Bellows’ decision, accusing her of bias and overstepping her authority. Meanwhile, activists are advocating for election officials to utilize this constitutional provision to bar Trump from participating.
While Colorado has already made the move to exclude Trump from its ballot, the decision is on hold, mirroring the situation in Maine, until the Supreme Court’s verdict on February 8.
With Trump’s status on the Maine ballot for the March 5 primary hanging in the balance, the legal drama carries not only state but national implications, reflecting the tumultuous aftermath of Trump’s post-2020 election endeavors.
The situation is time-sensitive, with the Saturday deadline looming for overseas ballots. If the U.S. Supreme Court upholds Trump’s removal from the ballot, Bellows will notify local election officials that votes cast for him will not be counted.
The outcome stands to shape not only Maine’s electoral contribution but also set a precedent with implications for future elections, underscoring the significance of this legal and political conundrum.
