Colorado and Maine’s Attempts to Remove Trump from the 2024 Republican Primary Ballot: A Legal Battle

The ongoing controversy surrounding former President Trump’s eligibility to run for the presidency in the 2024 elections has led to a legal battle in the states of Colorado and Maine. Both states have moved to strike Trump from their Republican primary ballots, citing his alleged support for an insurrection. However, the question of whether Trump’s actions constitute insurrection under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution is a complex one that has yet to be resolved by the United States Supreme Court.

David Becker, the founder of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, discussed the issue on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on December 31, 2023. Becker noted that the Supreme Court has never ruled on this issue and that it’s important for the court to clarify the meaning of the 14th Amendment in this context. He also pointed out that the process of disqualifying someone from the ballot is not anti-democratic and that it’s important for election officials to know who the qualified nominees are well in advance of the elections.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has suggested that Congress could dismiss the electors from states that try to remove Trump from the ballot. However, Becker explained that this is unlikely, as the Electoral Count Act has been reformed, and the Congress that gets to decide this is the one elected in November 2024.

The issue of Trump’s eligibility to run for president is a contentious one, with some arguing that he should be disqualified due to his actions on January 6, 2021. Others argue that this is an attempt to suppress the former president’s right to run for office. Regardless of one’s political views, it’s clear that this issue needs to be resolved quickly and on the merits, so that the Republican party and election officials can prepare for the 2024 elections.

The legal battle over Trump’s eligibility to run for president is a complex one that requires the Supreme Court’s intervention. The court’s ruling on this issue will have significant implications for the 2024 elections and the future of American democracy. As Becker noted, it’s important for the court to clarify the meaning of the 14th Amendment in this context and to do so as quickly as possible. Only then can the Republican party and election officials prepare for the 2024 elections with confidence.