Staff Reports
In a controversial move by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, she declared that former President Donald Trump was not eligible to appear on the state’s ballot for future elections. Bellows, who was appointed by the Democratic-controlled state legislature and is known to be quite cozy with President Joe Biden, made the decision in the waning days of 2023. However, Maine Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy intervened in the eleventh hour, deferring Bellows’ decision until the U.S. Supreme Court could rule on the matter. Murphy instructed Bellows to wait for the Supreme Court’s decision and then issue a new ruling within 30 days in light of the justices’ opinion.
Here's What the Maine Superior Court Says About Kicking Trump Off the Ballot
https://t.co/gi2rFffIMM— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 17, 2024
Murphy’s ruling sent the case back to the secretary of state, prompting her to hold off on her decision until the Supreme Court weighs in. This action puts Trump’s name on Maine’s ballot for the time being, until the Supreme Court ultimately issues its decision. This move is hardly surprising, as it makes logical sense to await the ruling of the highest court in the land before making a final determination.
The Secretary of State’s decision to disqualify Trump from the ballot was made under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, an interpretation that has been widely criticized by legal experts, including renowned Democrat and former law professor Alan Dershowitz. Even Senator Ted Cruz has weighed in on the matter, confidently predicting that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of allowing Trump to be on the ballot, cautioning that any decision to the contrary would be “profoundly anti-democratic” and could “rip this country apart.”
Cruz raised concerns that if the Court were to uphold the decision from Colorado to disqualify Trump, it could set a precedent for other states to follow suit, potentially impacting all 50 states. However, he remained optimistic that the Court would not make such a divisive ruling. With oral arguments set for February 8, the nation eagerly awaits the Supreme Court’s decision, which is expected to have far-reaching implications given Maine and Colorado’s status as Super Tuesday states with upcoming primaries on March 5.
