A new challenge to former President Trump's voting eligibility under the 14th Amendment was filed Thursday in Illinois.
Submitted on behalf of five voters in the State of Illinois, objection mark The nonprofit group Free Speech For People's fourth challenge seeks to remove Trump from ballots in various states across the country.
The Supreme Court is actively considering whether to take up Mr. Trump's appeal of his decision to exclude him from the primary ballot in Colorado, which joins dozens of other cases nationwide, including in Illinois. may have a significant impact.
Anti-Trump groups are calling for his disqualification, arguing that his actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol violated the 14th Amendment's anti-insurrection clause.
The proposed amendment would prohibit a person from holding any public office under the United States if he or she “participated in an insurrection” after taking an oath to support the Constitution.
The bill, ratified after the Civil War, was originally intended to prevent Confederates from returning to federal service, but it has been largely dormant for decades since then.
“By his actions described herein, from before January 6, 2021 to the present, Trump provided aid and comfort to enemies of the Constitution by, among other things: encouraging the insurrectionists; Deliberately failed to use his authority and responsibility as president to quell the rebellion. Praised the rebels, calling them “very special people,” “good people,” and “patriots.” did. And he has promised or implied that if re-elected president, he will pardon many of the insurrectionists,” the petition states.
The petition filed with the state Board of Elections seeks a hearing and decision to bar Trump's name from appearing on both the state's March 19 primary ballot and the November general election ballot. There is.
The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
Of the dozens of challenges filed across the country, two were successful in removing Trump's name from the ballot.
Colorado's Supreme Court and Maine's top election official, the Democratic Party, both ruled that the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits Trump's name from appearing on the state's primary ballot. I put it down.
While the Maine case is currently being heard in state court, the Colorado case is on the fastest track and is now in the hands of the Supreme Court, which will consider whether to take up the case. are doing. Legal experts primarily expect courts to do so.
Other lawsuits brought by Free Speech For People were dismissed in Minnesota and Michigan. The group's challenge in Oregon continues.
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