A Washington state judge has denied an effort to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential primary ballot.
After a hearing that lasted just under two hours, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Mary Sue Wilson denied eight registered voters who petitioned the court to remove Trump's name from Washington's ballots.
According to a report in the Seattle Times, Judge Wilson said that under state law, ballot challenges must be filed within two days after the candidate list is completed, and five days after the challenge is filed. He emphasized that he is asking for a decision to be made within the next few days.
“The court finds that the Secretary of State acted in accordance with his professional duties,” Mr Wilson told the court. “An order directing the Secretary of State to take other action, an order from this court, is simply not supported by statute and is not supported by the elector's affidavit.”
Maine High Court suspends state's decision to exclude Trump from primary ballot
Former President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd at a campaign rally in Summerville, South Carolina, on September 25, 2023. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
The effort to remove Trump from the ballot began earlier this month in Kitsap County, a few miles north of the Seattle suburbs. But within 10 minutes of the court hearing, a state judge dismissed the request, noting that the petition should be heard in Thurston, the seat of state government.
Maine Democratic Party, which banned Trump from voting, meets twice with Biden, calls Electoral College 'white supremacy'
Aerial view of the Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia, Washington. (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Wilson reportedly declined to consider a question about Trump's ranking on the general election ballot, saying it was premature, but said people could challenge Trump's ranking there “when appropriate.” He pointed out that there is a possibility of chanting.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Kitsap County residents called for President Trump's removalargued that he is ineligible to run for president because of his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
