In a significant development for the upcoming 2024 election, former President Donald Trump will be included on the Colorado primary ballot after Republicans filed an appeal to the Supreme Court. This decision comes after the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling to remove Trump from the primary ballot, which sparked controversy and legal battles. The appeal filed by the Colorado GOP has prompted Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold to include Trump on the primary ballot unless the U.S. Supreme Court affirms the lower court’s ruling or declines to take up the case.
Griswold, in a press release, defended the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision, stating that Trump engaged in insurrection and was disqualified under the Constitution from the Colorado Ballot. She urged the U.S. Supreme Court to act quickly given the upcoming presidential primary election. The inclusion of Trump on the ballot has created an unprecedented situation for the U.S. Supreme Court, as there are now conflicting rulings between Colorado and Michigan regarding Trump’s eligibility.
The conflicting rulings from Colorado and Michigan are likely to push the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case, as it will set a legal precedent for the rest of the country. The court is facing a political time bomb, as it must decide the case before Super Tuesday on March 5. However, the deadline comes with complications. The deadline for sending out primary ballots to military voters is January 20, and the first day of primary voting is scheduled for February 26. It remains unclear what would happen to any already released ballots if the U.S. Supreme Court declines the appeal or chooses not to take up the case.
Earlier this month, the Colorado Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that allowed Trump to appear on the ballot as a presidential candidate. The initial ruling argued that a president is not among the officials subject to disqualification on a ballot. However, on December 19, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump is ineligible to appear on the primary ballot due to the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The court simultaneously issued a stay on the ruling until January 4, pending an appeal.
The state Republican party has strongly criticized the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision, claiming that it disregards the First Amendment right of political parties to select their candidates and undermines the people’s right to choose their elected officials. The case now rests with the U.S. Supreme Court, which will have to make a pivotal decision with far-reaching implications.
This article was written by Houston Keene and contains contributions from Digital’s Kerri Kupec and Louis Casiano.
