In recent months, judges in several states have determined that states lack the authority to prevent the inclusion of former President Donald Trump’s name on upcoming ballots. Nonetheless, two states are gearing up to review similar proposals in an attempt to obstruct Trump’s political aspirations.
As the former president, Trump currently holds a substantial lead in the GOP race, especially with the first primary only four months away. Recent polling data indicates he has the support of over 60%, while the second-place candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, trails at 12%.
Interestingly, with each legal indictment and court hearing, Trump’s popularity in the polls surges. In fact, the most recent six national polls suggest that Trump would outperform President Biden in a potential 2024 rematch.
Those who seek to prevent Trump from appearing on a state ballot invoke the Constitution’s 14th Amendment “insurrection” clause to bolster their argument.
Remarkably, despite over a year and a cost exceeding $35 million spent by the Democrat-led congressional Jan. 6 Committee, no guilty verdict for “insurrection” has been reached against Trump.
In Colorado, the organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is advancing a complaint against Trump, which his legal team tried unsuccessfully to have dismissed in a lower court.
A second case is on the verge of being heard in a Minnesota court. Trump’s legal representatives have labeled these complaints as “absurd” and alleged that left-leaning groups are “stretching the law beyond recognition.”
🚨🚨🚨BREAKING: The Governor of Minnesota says he supports the REMOVAL of Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot.
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) October 25, 2023
“This needs to go forward.”
A group of voters are suing to keep Trump off the Minnesota ballot for violating section 3 of the 14th Amendment – the provision… pic.twitter.com/0caWKgPxqe
As per The Washington Examiner, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and former Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, both ardent Trump supporters, encountered comparable legal challenges in the lead-up to the 2022 election.
In both instances, the judges determined that these government officials were qualified to serve and couldn’t be prevented from having their names listed on the ballots.
For instance, a judge ruled in favor of Greene’s eligibility for re-election last year. The judge pointed out that the group bringing the lawsuit failed to provide sufficient evidence indicating that Greene’s actions before, during, and after the riot amounted to aiding an insurrection in violation of the Constitution.
“She’s Going To Rule That Trump Is An Insurrectionist And Recommend To The Secretary Of State That He Be Taken Off The Ballot In 2024.” Steve Bannon On Trump Colorado Ballot Trial pic.twitter.com/jnTw628BkD
— Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) October 30, 2023
Supporters of preventing politicians aligned with Trump from holding office are committed to appealing their cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. Numerous legal scholars anticipate that the Court’s conservative majority will probably affirm the decisions made by lower courts, thereby permitting Trump’s name to be included on ballots.
