Maine’s highest court is grappling with the eligibility of former President Donald Trump for the primary ballot, with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, taking a bold stance. Bellows contends that Trump does not meet ballot qualifications due to the insurrection clause in the U.S. Constitution.
A judge temporarily halted Bellows’ decision, insisting that the U.S. Supreme Court address a similar case in Colorado first. The latest update from The Associated Press on Thursday, January 25, reveals that Maine’s top court has declined to rule on Trump’s ballot eligibility, maintaining the judge’s decision. As a result, Trump will remain on the ballot until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the Colorado case.
The court justified its decision by citing the need for patience, awaiting the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the parallel case. It emphasized that the uncertainty about Trump’s presence on the primary ballot requires careful consideration.
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Secretary of State Bellows, elected by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, made history in December by barring the Republican front-runner from the ballot under the 14th Amendment. Section 3 of this constitutional provision prohibits individuals who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office.
With Maine’s March 5 primary approaching, the U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled arguments on the Colorado case for Feb. 8. This creates a time crunch as Maine begins mailing overseas ballots. The legal landscape is unprecedented, as the nation’s highest court has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which gained relevance in the context of Trump’s alleged role in challenging the 2020 election and inciting the Capitol riot.
In response to Bellows’ decision, Trump claimed bias and argued that her actions disenfranchise Maine voters as part of a broader effort to sideline him. Bellows, obligated by state law to assess Trump’s eligibility, has put her initial decision on hold, awaiting the court’s final ruling.
