Maine Democratic Secretary of State Shena Bellows defended her controversial decision to deem former President Donald Trump ineligible to appear on the state's ballot.
Bellows announced his controversial decision on December 28, arguing that Trump was disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, or the Insurrection Clause.
“Specifically, we find that the declaration in his candidacy agreement is false because he is not eligible to serve as President under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.” She wrote in part. However, the decision was “given the impending deadline, the novel constitutional issues involved, the importance of this case, and the impending deadline to prepare ballots,” which the Supreme Court ruled on this issue. It will not go into effect until a decision is made, the Secretary of State's Office said. time.
Despite the backlash, Bellows defended his sentence on Tuesday's WFEA radio appearance. According to the NH Journal, she used President Biden's absence from the New Hampshire vote as her defense, saying that Article I gives each state the power to “determine who appears on the ballot.” He claimed that there was. But removing his name from New Hampshire's ballots is a move by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which argues that South Carolina is a more diverse state and is making South Carolina the Democratic Party's first official primary. ), the decision was made by Mr. Biden. However, New Hampshire did not respond, claiming the state's status as the first state in the nation to hold a primary on January 23rd.
upon @WFEAradio This morning, Maine Secretary of State @shennabellows Article 1 says it gives states the power to be on the ballot. “For example, in N.H. @joe biden Even if he were to qualify in Maine, he would not appear on the ballot. ” (Biden refused permission to use his name) @NHDems (ballot paper)
— NH Journal (@NewHampJournal) January 2, 2024
*”Decide who gets on the ballot”
— NH Journal (@NewHampJournal) January 2, 2024
When asked about critics who say it's not Maine's job to decide what the riots in Washington, D.C. are, @shennabellows “The record shows that the events of January 6 were an insurrection. They were not only an attack on the Capitol, but also a peaceful transfer of power…”
— NH Journal (@NewHampJournal) January 2, 2024
That aside, according to the NH Journal, Bellows continued to defend his decision, claiming that “the record is that the events of January 6th were an insurrection” and an “attack” on the “peaceful transfer of power.” did.
“@shennabellows told @WFEAradio '…I have determined' that President Trump was directly involved in the storming of the Capitol,” NH Journal reported.
“It argues that a court or jury does not need to convict someone of sedition, it only needs to decide for itself that someone was 'involved' in sedition,” the paper added.
“It is my duty to determine whether candidates are qualified for the office they seek.” — Maine State Legislature @shennabellows upon @WFEAradio
— NH Journal (@NewHampJournal) January 2, 2024
“It is my duty to determine whether a candidate is suitable for the position they are seeking,” Bellows was quoted as saying.
upon @WFEAradio This morning, @shennabellows She complained about “inhuman images” of her posted on social media.
— NH Journal (@NewHampJournal) January 2, 2024
Her decision is consistent with a Colorado Supreme Court ruling in which left-leaning justices ruled that the Constitution's “insurrection clause” barred former President Trump from appearing on the ballot. But as the process progresses, he will be on the ballot.
“With the filing of the appeal, unless the U.S. Supreme Court declines to accept the case or affirms the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision, upon certification on January 5, 2024, Donald Trump will be included as a candidate in Colorado's 2024 presidential primary,” Colorado said. This was announced in a press release by Secretary of State Jenna Griswold's office.
