Maine Supreme Court Dismisses Trump’s Appeal to Remain on Maine’s Primary Ballot

The political landscape in Maine took an unexpected turn on January 25, 2024, when the Maine Supreme Judicial Court dismissed Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ appeal to weigh in on former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to remain on the state’s primary ballot. The decision came after Bellows, a Democrat, concluded that Trump did not meet the qualifications under the insurrection clause in the U.S. Constitution. However, a judge put her decision on hold, pending the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on a similar case in Colorado.

The Maine Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to dismiss Bellows’ appeal came as a result of the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s ballot eligibility. The court stated that the delay in determining whether Trump’s name should appear on the primary ballot would result in voter confusion. This uncertainty, the court reasoned, was the very reason for not undertaking immediate appellate review in this particular case.

Bellows’ decision in December 2023, which made her the first election official to ban Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment, was based on her interpretation of the insurrection clause. The clause prohibits those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. Some legal scholars argue that the post-Civil War clause applies to Trump for his role in trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election and encouraging his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump, who has contested Bellows’ decision, argues that she should have recused herself and that she was biased against him. He claims that her actions disenfranchised voters in Maine and are part of a broader effort to keep him off the ballot. Bellows, who was elected by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, maintains that she was bound by state law to make a determination after several residents challenged Trump’s right to be on the primary ballot. She put her decision on hold pending judicial proceedings and vowed to abide by a court’s ultimate ruling.

The timelines are tight as Maine’s March 5 primary approaches. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the Colorado case on February 8, 2024, and Maine has already begun mailing overseas ballots. The nation’s highest court has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office.

The insurrection clause, a post-Civil War provision, has not been tested in the context of a former president’s eligibility to run for office. Legal scholars argue that Trump’s actions during and after the 2020 presidential election, which included attempting to overturn the election results and encouraging his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol, could potentially make him ineligible under the clause.

The Maine Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Bellows’ appeal comes as the political landscape continues to evolve. The case in Colorado, which reached the same conclusion as Maine, is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. The outcome of that case could have significant implications for Trump’s eligibility to run for office in other states.

In the meantime, Maine voters are left in a state of uncertainty as to whether Trump’s name will appear on the primary ballot. The court’s decision not to intervene at this time has left the issue in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. The timeline for a decision is tight, and the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Maine and beyond.

As the political landscape continues to shift, the Maine Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Bellows’ appeal has left many questions unanswered. The outcome of the case in Colorado, which is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, could provide some clarity. In the meantime, Maine voters will have to wait and see whether Trump’s name will appear on the primary ballot. The uncertainty surrounding the issue has the potential to cause voter confusion and could have significant implications for the political landscape in Maine and beyond.

In conclusion, the Maine Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ appeal to weigh in on former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to remain on the state’s primary ballot has left many questions unanswered. The outcome of the case in Colorado, which is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, could provide some clarity. In the meantime, Maine voters are left in a state of uncertainty as to whether Trump’s name will appear on the primary ballot. The potential implications of this decision for the political landscape in Maine and beyond are significant and will be closely watched as the case unfolds.