There’s a move in Hawaii that could potentially knock Donald Trump off the 2024 presidential election ballot.
Trump’s Candidacy at Risk?
Democrats have proposed a bill aimed at preventing insurrectionists from holding public office, referencing the 14th Amendment. Trump isn’t directly mentioned in the bill, but he might be affected by it due to accusations of being an insurrectionist from the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Hawaii’s Criteria for Candidates
Senator Karl Rhoads introduced the legislation, which cleared its initial hurdle in early January and was moved forward by the Senate Committee on Judiciary in early February. It aims to block those ruled as disqualified by either federal or state supreme courts, according to the 14th Amendment, from being on presidential and vice-presidential nominee ballots for parties.
Integrity in Public Service
The bill read: “The legislature finds that citizens of this State have the right to expect that public servants be people of integrity, and not people who have committed actions that threaten democracy or undermine the vote of the people.”
The Fifty-Seven-Day Rule
It added: “Any challenge to the inclusion or exclusion of any candidate on a ballot issued by the chief election officer or clerk shall be in writing and, no later than the fifty-seventh day prior to the general election.”
Groundbreaking Ruling
Following the Colorado Supreme Court’s historic ruling that blocks Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot under the insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution, legal experts anticipate a ripple effect of similar legal actions. The court, in a narrow 4-3 decision, applied Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that prohibits insurrectionists from holding office.
Surge in Trump-Related Lawsuits?
Reacting to this, Gerald Griggs, a lawyer and head of Georgia’s NAACP, supported former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance’s view on X (formerly Twitter), indicating a likely surge in related lawsuits across the country.
“This will trigger more lawsuits from other citizens in other States,” Griggs predicted.
Historic Use of 14th Amendment
Notably, the ruling marks the first time Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate, and it could influence ongoing appeals in similar cases against Trump in states like New Hampshire, Florida, Minnesota, and Michigan.
Ethics Group’s Appeal Success
The Colorado Supreme Court’s groundbreaking ruling to bar Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential ballot came as a response to an appeal by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and some Republican figures. This followed a lower court’s rejection of their lawsuit, which cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
Amendment’s Ambiguity in Focus
Judge Sarah B. Wallace had recognized Trump’s involvement in the January 6 Capitol incident but maintained he should stay on the ballot, citing the Amendment’s unclear terms about presidential runs.
Supreme Court’s Conscious Ruling
The state Supreme Court, in their ruling, expressed a deep awareness of the case’s significance and their duty to apply the law objectively. We do not reach these conclusions lightly,” the majority justices wrote in an opinion.
The Ballot Battle Continues
Donald Trump has been ruled ineligible for the primary ballots in Maine and Colorado, with both states citing the 14th Amendment. This amendment prohibits insurrectionists from holding public office. However, Maine’s ruling has been put on hold pending the US Supreme Court’s decision on the Colorado case.
Jan. 6 and Trump’s Fate
The states’ decision stems from Trump’s conduct during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. On that day, his supporters stormed the Capitol in an effort to contest the 2020 election results and block the certification of Joe Biden as the winner.
Decisions on Hold
The Supreme Court heard arguments on the Colorado case in early February. Justices are under pressure to come to a decision as soon as possible.
Varied Legal Approaches
Meanwhile, similar lawsuits in states such as Minnesota, Michigan, Arizona, and Oregon, aimed at disqualifying Trump, have been dismissed on procedural grounds, reflecting the different legal approaches of these states.
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