Augusta, Maine – Maine’s top court has declined to intervene in the case regarding former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to remain on the state’s ballot. The decision upholds a previous ruling that the U.S. Supreme Court must first address a similar case in Colorado. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, had determined that Trump did not meet the qualifications under the insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution. However, a judge halted the decision pending the Supreme Court’s ruling in Colorado.
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously dismissed Bellows’ appeal, stating that it would wait for the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision before making any modifications or upholding the decision to exclude Trump from the primary ballot. Bellows’ decision back in December made her the first election official to disqualify the Republican front-runner under the 14th Amendment. The Colorado State Supreme Court also reached a similar conclusion in their case.
With Maine’s March 5 primary drawing near, the timing is crucial. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the Colorado case on February 8, and Maine has already begun mailing overseas ballots. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office, has never been ruled on by the nation’s highest court. Some legal scholars argue that this clause applies to Trump due to his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election and inciting his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol after his defeat.
Trump claims that Bellows displayed bias against him and should have recused herself from the case. He believes that her actions have disenfranchised voters in Maine and are part of a broader effort to keep him off the ballot. Bellows, elected by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, maintains that she was obligated by state law to make a determination after several residents challenged Trump’s eligibility. She has put her decision on hold pending the court’s final ruling.
The outcome of this case will have significant implications for Trump’s political future and the interpretation of the 14th Amendment. The court’s decision to defer to the U.S. Supreme Court reflects the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the issue. As the legal proceedings continue, the nation awaits a resolution on whether Trump will be allowed to appear on the primary ballot in Maine.