On Thursday, Maine’s top election official announced that she wants to remove former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential election ballot. The decision comes shortly after a similar move was made in Colorado.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, released a statement arguing that her proposal to restrict the eligibility of individuals in democratic elections was her attempt at protecting democracy.
“I do not reach this conclusion lightly,” Bellows said. “Democracy is sacred, and the highest court of this State has repeatedly recognized that “no right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the laws under which, as good citizens, we must live.” Melanson v. Sec’y of State, 2004 ME 127, ¶ 14, 861 A.2d 641 (quoting Burdick v. Takushi, 504 U.S. 428, 441 (1992) (cleaned up)).”
“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,” she continued. “I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection. The oath I swore to uphold the Constitution comes first above all, and my duty under Maine’s election laws, when presented with a Section 336 challenge, is to ensure that candidates who appear on the primary ballot are qualified for the office they seek.”
“The events of January 6, 2021 were unprecedented and tragic,” her statement added. “They were an attack not only upon the Capitol and government officials, but also an attack on the rule of law. The evidence here demonstrates that they occurred at the behest of, and with the knowledge and support of, the outgoing President. The U.S. Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government, and Section 336 requires me to act in response.”
“I conclude that the Rosen and Royal Challengers have met their burden under 21-A M.R.S. § 337(2)(B),” Bellows said. “They have provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate the falsity of Mr. Trump’s declaration that he meets the qualifications of the office of the presidency. Therefore, as required by 21-A M.R.S. § 336(3), I find that the primary petition of Mr. Trump is invalid.”
BREAKING: Maine's top election official finds Trump ineligible to be president due to Jan. 6, decision suspended pending court appeal pic.twitter.com/SjuDfwsEvl
— BNO News (@BNONews) December 29, 2023
