Maine dismisses appeal of Trump ballot decision 

Former President Trump can stay on Maine’s main poll till the U.S. Supreme Court docket guidelines on the 14th Modification case in Colorado, the highest courtroom in Maine declared Wednesday, dismissing an enchantment from Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D).

In a unanimous choice, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court docket upheld a decrease decide’s order that required Bellows to attend for the U.S. Supreme Court docket to resolve on the Colorado poll case earlier than she might withdraw, modify or uphold her choice to dam Trump’s title from Maine’s main poll on March 5.

In December 2023, Bellows decided that Trump couldn’t seem on the poll beneath Part 3 of the 14th Modification, which prohibits officers from holding public workplace if, after beforehand taking an oath to assist the Structure, they then have interaction in rebel or rebel towards the US.

In making the choice, Maine turned the second state to dam Trump from showing on the poll due to his function within the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol, becoming a member of Colorado.  

Trump appealed the choice to state courtroom, and a decide subsequently declined to weigh in on the deserves of the case. The decide stated, nevertheless, Trump might stay on the poll till the Supreme Court docket decides the Colorado case, after which period Bellows should reassess the choice.

Bellows had warned punting the choice on Trump’s eligibility would put Maine in a “precarious place,” noting the state main is held on Tremendous Tuesday, March 5, which is quick approaching. She stated voters may forged their votes with the reply on Trump’s eligibility nonetheless unresolved.

“A keep of this continuing, adopted by a February choice from the U.S. Supreme Court docket, might in the end drive the Secretary and her employees to scramble to attenuate injury to the integrity of the March 5, 2024, election,” the Maine legal professional normal’s workplace, representing Bellows, had written in courtroom filings.