Maine’s highest court on Wednesday afternoon declined to consider whether former President Donald Trump can remain on the state’s ballot, upholding a judge’s ruling that the US Supreme Court must first rule on a similar case in Colorado.
Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows concluded that Trump did not qualify for the vote under the insurrection clause in the US Constitution but a judge put that decision on hold pending a Supreme Court decision on a similar case in Colorado.
In a unanimous decision, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court rejected Bellows’ appeal of an order requiring him to wait for the US Supreme Court’s decision before withdrawing, modifying or upholding its decision to bar Trump from the Super Tuesday primary.
“The Secretary of State suggested that there would be irreparable harm because a delay in determining whether Trump’s name should appear on the primary ballot would result in voter confusion.
This uncertainty, however, is what guides our decision not to conduct immediate appellate review in this case,” the court said.
The Maine Superior Court of Justice rejected an appeal of a judge’s decision to keep Trump’s name off the state’s ballot until the US Supreme Court rules on a similar case in February. AP
Bellows’ decision in December that Trump was ineligible made him the first election official to bar the Republican front-runner from the ballot under the 14th Amendment.
In Colorado, the state supreme court reached the same conclusion.
The timeline is tight as Maine approaches the March 5 primary.
The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the Colorado case on February 8, and Maine has begun sending mail ballots overseas.
The nation’s highest court has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars those “engaged in rebellion” from holding office.
Some legal scholars say the post-Civil War clause applies to Trump because of his role in trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election and encouraging his supporters to storm the US Capitol after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.
Trump thinks Bellows should recuse himself, and he’s biased against him. Trump said his actions disenfranchised voters in Maine, and were part of a broader effort to prevent them from voting.
Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows concluded that Trump did not qualify for the vote under the rebellion clause in the US Constitution. AP
Bellows, who was elected by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, said he was bound by state law to make the determination after some residents challenged Trump’s right to be on the primary ballot.
He put his decision on Trump’s voting eligibility on hold pending judicial proceedings, and vowed that he would abide by the court’s final decision.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
