Internet hails 'solid decision' to keep Trump on Maine's ballot till Supreme Court rules on Colorado

AUGUSTA, MAINE: Maine's top court has ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the state's primary ballot until the US Supreme Court decides on the 14th Amendment case in Colorado, reported the Associated Press.

In a unanimous decision announced on Wednesday, January 23, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld the lower judge's decision to dismiss the appeal of Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and ordered her to wait till the SCOTUS ruling.

Maine was the second state, followed by Colorado, to disqualify the Republican frontrunner's candidacy from the state's primary. Bellows, on December 18, 2023, announced her decision to bar Trump from the state's primary ballot in light of his alleged involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

The former president filed an appeal at the Kennebec Superior Court on January 2, claiming the ruling "was the product of a process infected by bias and pervasive lack of due process."

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution prevents a former president who has "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the country from holding office.

What did the court say?

The Supreme Judicial Court ordered Bellows to await the SCOTUS decision before upholding her decision to bar Trump from the primary ballot on Super Tuesday.

"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. This uncertainty is, however, precisely what guides our decision not to undertake immediate appellate review in this particular case," the court said.

Maine will head to the polls to select their Republican presidential nominee on March 5, Super Tuesday, when 16 states will hold presidential primary contests.

Bellows had claimed that delaying the decision on the GOP frontrunner's eligibility would put Maine in a "precarious position" as the primary is fast approaching.

Trump, with resounding victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, is leading the Republican primary polls with a sizeable dominance. After Ron DeSantis exited the campaign and endorsed the former president, the race narrowed to a two-person race, Trump vs Nikki Haley.

Internet reacts to Maine court's decision

Netizens mostly concurred with the Maine top court's decision to wait till the SCOTUS ruling, indicating Trump's name would be on the ballot.

One user remarked, "That's a solid decision by Maine's top court. It's a step forward! Well, that's one legal hustle off the court's docket! Interesting development. Thanks for sharing the update."

Another user wrote, "We’re a nation of law and order and we’ll go alone with the higher court’s decision, nonetheless!"

While a third user opined, "Supreme Court will overrule.... Have fun while this lasts."

A fourth user said, "Trump technically was never tried or declared guilty in court. If Americans want him on the ballot he should be. If people can’t be on the ballot because of accusations, then none of them can."

"Ignore it. But he’s going to be on the ballot," read one response.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.