Former United States President, Donald Trump, has been deemed ineligible to run for president in Maine’s upcoming election by the state’s top election official, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
According to CNN, this ruling was based on a constitutional insurrection clause, citing Mr. Trump’s actions leading up to the US Capitol riot in 2021.
Citing Mr. Trump’s actions leading up to the US Capitol riot in 2021, Bellows asserted his ineligibility.
Maine now follows Colorado in prohibiting Mr. Trump from appearing on the ballot, creating added pressure on the Supreme Court for potential intervention.
While Colorado typically votes for Democratic candidates, Maine’s political landscape is more competitive.
Hence, Mr. Trump, as the Republican frontrunner, would face more significance in losing eligibility in Maine.
The ruling, outlined in a comprehensive 34-page document, invokes the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.
This amendment disqualifies individuals involved in “insurrection or rebellion” from holding office. Bellows’ order specifies Mr. Trump’s utilization of a false election fraud narrative over several months, culminating in the events of January 6, 2021, as the grounds for his disqualification.
She added that his “occasional requests that rioters be peaceful and support law enforcement do not immunize his actions”.
Mrs Bellows said it was her duty to uphold election laws in her state, and that she hoped the “Supreme Court will settle this matter nationwide”.
“I’m mindful that no secretary of state has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on section three of the 14th Amendment. But I’m also mindful that no presidential candidate has, ever before, engaged in insurrection.”
