Maine Secretary of State speaks on decision to remove trump from ballot

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows recently explained why she disqualified Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot, citing the 14th Amendment’s Section 3. Bellows stated that Trump’s actions and role in the Jan. 6 insurrection disqualified him from running. In Maine, voters have the right to challenge a candidate’s qualifications for office by petitioning the secretary of state. If a challenge is made, a public hearing is held for the challengers to present their case. It’s worth noting that Maine is the only state where the secretary of state is initially responsible for determining a candidate’s qualification, rather than the court.

Trump’s campaign plans to appeal the decision, arguing an attempted theft of the election. Bellows, a Democrat, emphasized her commitment to upholding the Constitution and the law in her decision, which is the second instance of a state barring Trump under Section 3. The Colorado Supreme Court previously disqualified him, pending appeal.