Maine’s Democratic Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, made the unprecedented decision on Thursday to exclude former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot, ostensibly under the Constitution’s insurrection clause. This move, which was prompted by the Jan 6th insurrection hoax, could have significant ramifications for the Electoral College. Maine’s unique system of splitting its four electoral votes means the absence of Trump if he is the Republican candidate could be consequential in an expected closely-contested race.
The decision by Bellows follows a comparable action made by the Colorado Supreme Court in December, which similarly disqualified Trump under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This ruling was reached following a challenge by a group of far-left Maine residents. Despite pushback from Trump’s lawyers who requested her recusal citing exhibited bias, Bellows stood by the ruling stating the Capitol attack was an insurrection, despite no court ruling supporting such a claim.
The final say on Trump’s political future does not lie solely with Bellows, however. Her decision is subject to legal appeal and expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court for final determination early next year. Meanwhile, the ruling has also incentivized self-described communists nationwide to call for Trump’s removal from their ballots under the same clause. While previously rejected, this constituted Maine law’s first-ever exclusion of a presidential candidate from its ballot. The Trump campaign has stated its intention to appeal the ruling. A decision which, if reached by the Supreme Court, will affect all states including Maine.
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