Trump Disqualified: Maine Bars 2024 Primary Ballot

In a significant development, former US President Donald Trump has been barred from appearing on the state ballot in Maine for the upcoming US presidential primary election in 2024. The decision, announced by Maine's top election official, follows a similar disqualification in Colorado, marking the second state to take such action against Trump in response to his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Maine Disqualifies Trump for 2024 Ballot.

Trump, who was considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2024, has been at the center of controversy since his spread of false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, cited Trump's role in inciting an insurrection and urging his supporters to march on the Capitol as the basis for disqualification.

While Bellows suspended her decision pending a ruling from the state supreme court, Trump has already faced disqualification in Colorado. He expressed his intent to appeal the Colorado ruling to the Supreme Court, criticizing ballot challenges as "undemocratic." The disqualification in Maine stems from a group of former lawmakers invoking a provision in the US Constitution that prohibits individuals engaging in "insurrection or rebellion" after taking an oath to the United States from holding office.

The decision in Maine, which can be appealed to a state court, specifically impacts the March primary election. However, it raises questions about Trump's eligibility for the November general election. The ruling is anticipated to exert additional pressure on the US Supreme Court to address broader concerns regarding Trump's eligibility nationwide, under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Trump, currently facing federal charges and legal scrutiny in Georgia for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, has not been formally charged with insurrection related to the January 6 attack. Despite legal challenges, he maintains a significant lead in opinion polls for the Republican nomination in 2024.

As Donald Trump encounters setbacks in multiple states regarding his eligibility for the 2024 presidential election, the unfolding legal battles are poised to shape the political landscape. With the specter of the US Supreme Court potentially weighing in on his eligibility, the controversy surrounding Trump's role in the Capitol attack continues to reverberate, adding a layer of uncertainty to the upcoming election season