The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in a 13-page decision that single states lack the authority to deny a presidential candidate access to the ballot due to allegations he engaged in rebellion or insurrection against the U.S.
The justices said the Constitution says that such a decision “rests with Congress and not the states.” The court also cautioned that if a patchwork of states developed, where some allowed a candidate on the ballot, but others did not, it could create chaos.
“Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaos – arriving at any time or different times, up to and perhaps beyond the inauguration,” the justices ruled.
“Because the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the States, responsible for enforcing Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment against federal officeholders and candidates, the Colorado Supreme Court erred in ordering former President Trump excluded from the 2024 Presidential primary ballot,” the ruling said.
“We conclude that States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency,” the justices said.
The announcement comes one day before Super Tuesday, when 15 state and party-run primaries take place across the country.
Kelly Tshibaka, Alaska director for the Trump campaign, issued a statement: “America is a nation led by the People, not the ruling elite. Today’s decision is a victory for the Constitution and ‘We the People.’ Voters should decide who leads our country, not unelected bureaucrats or political adversaries to a candidate. This decision protects the rights of every American voter, which is why the vote was unanimous. This case is a landmark case for protecting free and fair elections.”
Although the ruling applies to Colorado, it also applies to other two other states with similar challenges to Trump’s candidacy.
The ruling itself can be read at this Supreme Court link.
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