Does Colorado Trump Decision Affect Other States? Ask Maine

by Emma Davis, Maine Morning Star
December 22, 2023

Those challenging former President Donald Trump’s primary election eligibility in Maine see the decision out of the Colorado Supreme Court this week as validation of their argument and urge Maine to reach an identical ruling. 

Trump’s counsel says the Colorado decision isn’t relevant, arguing that decision is not “final” and that Maine challenges are a separate matter since they were brought under different state laws and procedures.

In briefs filed Thursday evening, litigants weighed in on whether, and how, the Colorado decision should impact the ruling expected to be issued by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows early next week.

The Colorado Supreme Court ordered Trump to be barred from the state’s 2024 presidential ballot on Dec. 19, under a Civil War-era insurrection clause in the 14th Amendment that two of the three challenges to Trump’s eligibility in Maine have also cited. 

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits anyone who took an oath to uphold the Constitution and then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding office in the U.S. The challengers argue Trump cannot hold office because he engaged in insurrection when he incited people to attack the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

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