Five New York Democrats are pushing for the state Board of Elections to ban former President Donald Trump from the ballot in the 2024 election. State senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Liz Krueger are among the lawmakers who sent a letter to the board asking them to uphold the Constitution and prevent Trump from running again, following the violent events of January 6th. Other politicians who signed the letter include New York state Sens. Timothy M. Kennedy, Gustavo Rivera, and Shelly B. Mayer. The New York State Board of Elections is comprised of two Republicans and two Democrats, which may impact the outcome of this request. The board did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
These Democrat politicians are alleging that Trump engaged in the insurrection that took place at the Capitol, therefore making him ineligible to hold any office under the U.S. The letter cites the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 and addresses the participation of Confederate sympathizers in politics after the Civil War. However, doubts have been raised by political consultant Robert Hornak, who suggests that the letter is nothing more than political posturing. He also highlights that there is no clear definition of ‘insurrection’ in New York State, and no court has made a formal ruling on the matter.
Meanwhile, conservative think tanks and activists are highlighting the potential dangers of setting a precedent with such a move. Former New York Republican Congressman John Faso believes that the letter and its allegations are based on shaky legal grounds. Organizations such as Free Speech For People, co-founded by constitutional attorney John Bonifaz, are supporting the ban, and they have even initiated lawsuits in other states such as Michigan, Oregon, and Minnesota.
These lawsuits target the actions of the former President during the January 6th events, claiming that it disqualifies him from running for office again. However, political analyst John Hinderaker points out that no court has convicted President Trump of precisely what the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits. Despite these efforts, the resolutions are unlikely to force Trump off the ballot, and legal experts and political analysts remain skeptical. Matthew DePerno, an attorney, sees it as a dangerous precedent that could weaponize local prosecutors and state attorney general offices to influence political candidates’ eligibility.
It is evident that the push to exclude Trump from the election is controversial and stirs up political tensions, raising serious legal and constitutional questions. It remains to be seen how the Board of Elections and the courts will respond to this request, highlighting the deep divides in the country’s political landscape as the 2024 election cycle looms.
