Maine’s highest court on Wednesday refused to weigh in on whether embattled former President Donald Trump should stay on the ballot in the state, redirecting the case directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Days after Colorado did the same thing on December 19, Maine moved to disqualify Trump from the state presidential primary ballot citing a constitutional clause that prevents insurrectionists from holding office. Earlier this month, a state Superior Court judge placed the decision on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on a similar case regarding Colorado on February 8.
Maine’s secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, appealed the state judge’s decision, seeking input from Maine’s highest court first. But with a unanimous decision on Wednesday, Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court dismissed Bellows’ appeal, ruling that the U.S. Supreme Court should weigh in before she can decide whether she wants to withdraw, modify or uphold her decision to keep Trump on the primary ballot.
The primary vote in Maine is set for Super Tuesday, March 5.
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