News Brief
Maine Excludes Trump From 2024 Ballot, Second State To Disqualify Former President Following Colorado Decision
Former US President Donald Trump
In a groundbreaking move, Maine's Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, has officially removed former President Donald Trump from the state's 2024 ballot, citing the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban", as reported by Hindustan Times.
This decision comes after the Colorado Supreme Court took a similar stance earlier this month, marking Maine as the second state to disqualify Trump from running for office in the upcoming presidential election.
The challenge against Trump's eligibility was initiated by a bipartisan group of former state lawmakers, leading to an administrative hearing earlier this month.
Secretary Bellows, a democrat, issued the decision on Thursday (28 December), recognising the unprecedented nature of such an action against a presidential candidate.
"I do not reach this conclusion lightly," Bellows stated. "Democracy is sacred...I am mindful that no Secretary of State has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on section three of the Fourteenth Amendment. I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection."
However, Trump's legal team is expected to contest the decision, and the issue is likely to be appealed in state court.
Anticipating further legal challenges, experts believe the matter may ultimately reach the US Supreme Court, where it could set a precedent for the entire country.
The decision in Maine builds on the momentum gained by Trump's opponents after the Colorado ruling.
While states like Michigan and Minnesota rejected similar efforts before Colorado, the consecutive decisions in Colorado and Maine mark a significant victory for those advocating for accountability.
Ratified after the Civil War, the 14th Amendment stipulates that American officials who "engage in" insurrection cannot hold future office.
However, the provision lacks clarity on how the ban should be enforced, leaving room for legal interpretation and ongoing debate.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
