Maine Excludes Trump From 2024 Ballot, Second State To Disqualify Former President Following Colorado Decision

In a groundbreaking move, Maine's Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, has officially removed former President Donald Trump from the state's 2024 ballot, citing the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban", as reported by Hindustan Times.

This decision comes after the Colorado Supreme Court took a similar stance earlier this month, marking Maine as the second state to disqualify Trump from running for office in the upcoming presidential election.

The challenge against Trump's eligibility was initiated by a bipartisan group of former state lawmakers, leading to an administrative hearing earlier this month.

Secretary Bellows, a democrat, issued the decision on Thursday (28 December), recognising the unprecedented nature of such an action against a presidential candidate.

"I do not reach this conclusion lightly," Bellows stated. "Democracy is sacred...I am mindful that no Secretary of State has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on section three of the Fourteenth Amendment. I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection."

However, Trump's legal team is expected to contest the decision, and the issue is likely to be appealed in state court.

Anticipating further legal challenges, experts believe the matter may ultimately reach the US Supreme Court, where it could set a precedent for the entire country.

The decision in Maine builds on the momentum gained by Trump's opponents after the Colorado ruling.

While states like Michigan and Minnesota rejected similar efforts before Colorado, the consecutive decisions in Colorado and Maine mark a significant victory for those advocating for accountability.

Ratified after the Civil War, the 14th Amendment stipulates that American officials who "engage in" insurrection cannot hold future office.

However, the provision lacks clarity on how the ban should be enforced, leaving room for legal interpretation and ongoing debate.