Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon has made a bold prediction regarding the potential reemergence of former President Donald Trump on the election ballot. In an interview on MSNBC, Simon, a Democrat, stated that Trump will either be on the ballot “everywhere or nowhere,” depending on the decision made by the Supreme Court.
Simon emphasized that it is unlikely for Trump to be excluded from the ballot in only a handful of states, while still being included in others. He firmly believes that the U.S. Supreme Court will ensure that Trump’s presence on the ballot is a nationwide decision.
The discussion arose following Trump’s removal from the Colorado ballot and the potential implications of this decision on a national scale. Simon highlighted the various potential outcomes that could result from the Supreme Court’s ruling on this matter.
He expressed concern over the logistical and administrative challenges that would arise if Trump’s ballot eligibility became a major issue in a general election. Simon described the situation as a “headache” from an administrative standpoint.
According to reporting by The Hill, more than a dozen states have either considered or are considering similar challenges to Trump’s qualification for the ballot. Simon referred to the Colorado ruling as a “canary in the coal mine,” suggesting that it serves as a prelude to similar legal actions across the country.
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump should be disqualified from appearing on the 2024 GOP presidential primary ballot due to his alleged involvement in aiding the insurrection on January 6, 2021. The court cited Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution as the basis for disqualifying Trump from the ballot.
The lawsuit that led to this ruling was initiated by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW), a watchdog group based in Washington D.C. CREW argued that Trump’s involvement in the January 6th insurrection rendered him ineligible to run in the 2024 election, citing a specific provision in the 14th Amendment.
While Trump has not been formally charged or convicted of engaging in insurrection, the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision has sparked significant controversy. The Colorado Republican Party has even threatened to withdraw from the primary election if this ruling is upheld.
In response to the ruling, Trump has indicated that he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which currently has a conservative majority.
As the legal battle continues, the nation eagerly awaits the Supreme Court’s decision, which will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the future of Donald Trump’s presence on the election ballot. The outcome of this case will not only shape the landscape of future elections but will also set a precedent for the intersection of legal and political matters in the United States.
