On Wednesday, Maine’s Supreme Court decided not to weigh in on whether Trump should be kept off the ballot in the state. It followed a judge’s earlier ruling, which paused Secretary of State Senna Bellows’s decision to remove Trump from the state’s ballot.
Pending decision
The US Supreme Court has agreed to rule on a Colorado case which found that Trump was ineligible to appear on the ballot. Oral arguments are scheduled to begin on Feb 8.
Domino effect
Bellows’s decision to remove Trump from the ballot made her the first election official to exclude the former president from holding office again. However, a judge put the decision on hold, arguing that the US Supreme Court’s decision should be heard first.
Knockdown effect
via Depositphotos.com
As Bellows said in December, the Supreme Court’s decision in the Colorado case could be “determinative” in Maine. However, the state has already begun sending out overseas ballots.
Clock ticking
Maine’s primary is scheduled for Mar 5. There’s pressure on the Supreme Court to reach a decision in the Colorado case as soon as possible to avoid election chaos.
Challenges
Bellows appealed the judge’s order that had paused her decision. However, the state Supreme Judicial Court dismissed the appeal, meaning Bellows still has to wait for the US Supreme Court’s decision before she can withdraw, modify, or uphold her ruling on Trump’s eligibility.
Confusion reigns
“The Secretary of State suggests that there is irreparable harm because a delay in certainty about whether Trump’s name should appear on the primary ballot will result in voter confusion,” Maine’s Supreme Court ruled. “This uncertainty is, however, precisely what guides our decision not to undertake immediate appellate review in this particular case.”
Sacred duty
After two Republicans and a Democrat challenged Trump’s ability to be on Maine’s ballot, Bellows was required by state law to investigate the evidence behind the challenge. “I was then required to review that evidence and hearing record, the law, and the Constitution ultimately,” Bellows said. “That is my sacred obligation.”
Following the law
“It’s my duty,” Bellows stressed, “to uphold the Constitution.” According to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, no official that “engages in insurrection” should be allowed to hold office.
Unprecedented
Much of the controversy surrounding Trump’s eligibility stems from the fact that the Supreme Court has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Equally, as Bellows said, “no presidential candidate has ever engaged in insurrection.”
Accusations fly
Trump has accused Bellows of political bias and has said that the Democratic politician should have recused herself. However, Bellows pointed out she was “duty bound” to follow state law and the US Constitution.
Not getting involved
Maine’s Supreme Court unanimously decided not to get involved in the case, leaving the decision to the US Supreme Court. Trump has asked the three Justices he appointed to treat him “fairly.”
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