Trump Not Eligible For Maine Primary Ballot, Secretary Of State Says

Earlier this month, Colorado’s Supreme Court ruled Trump was ineligible for the presidency and disqualified him from the state’s primary ballot.

Former President Donald Trump is not eligible to appear on Maine’s presidential primary ballot, according to a decision released by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on Thursday.

In a hearing earlier this month, Bellows heard challenges to Trump’s eligibility for the primary ballot. Several people, including three former state officials, have argued the former president is ineligible under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which says anyone who took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution but then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” may no longer hold office.

“The events of January 6, 2021 were unprecedented and tragic,” Bellows wrote in reference to the Trump-fueled insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. “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.”

“I do not reach this conclusion lightly,” she wrote toward the end of her decision.

Another argument Bellows heard claimed Trump is ineligible under the 22nd Amendment, which says no one can be elected president more than twice. (Trump continues to insist he won the 2020 presidential election against Democrat Joe Biden.) However, Bellows shot down this argument.