(GoRealNewsNow.com) – The ongoing legal battle in Colorado regarding former President Donald Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 primary ballot presents a significant constitutional and political dilemma.
The Colorado GOP’s move to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court followed the state Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify Trump, citing the Fourteenth Amendment.
In a major victory for Trump, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold announced Trump would be included on the primary ballot by the January 5 certification deadline unless the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the state court’s decision or decides not to hear the case.
Griswold’s press release emphasized Trump’s disqualification due to alleged involvement in insurrection, aligning with the Colorado Supreme Court’s stance. This decision is not just a state matter but has national implications, especially given the contrasting ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court, which denied an attempt to remove Trump from its primary ballot.
The contrasting decisions between Colorado and Michigan set the stage for a potential U.S. Supreme Court intervention.
This situation is pressing as the Court faces a narrow window to resolve this issue ahead of key election dates, including Super Tuesday on March 5.
The complexity is further heightened by logistical considerations like the January 20 deadline for sending primary ballots to military voters and the commencement of mailing ballots to voters on February 12.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling, which came after a tight 4-3 vote, overturned a lower court’s decision allowing Trump’s inclusion on the ballot.
The ruling’s temporary stay until January 4, extended in the event of an appeal, reflects the matter’s legal intricacies and urgency.
The Colorado GOP’s petition against the December 19 ruling argues that excluding Trump from the ballot undermines the First Amendment rights of political parties and the electorate’s right to choose their candidates. Therefore, this case is not just about Trump’s eligibility but also broader constitutional principles concerning electoral rights and political party autonomy. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, or lack thereof, could have far-reaching consequences for the 2024 presidential primaries and beyond.