Efforts in Illinois and Massachusetts to Remove Trump from the 2024 Ballot
Voters in Illinois and Massachusetts submit motions to exclude Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot, joining other states challenging his candidacy under the 14th Amendment's insurrectionist ban
Voter groups from Illinois and Massachusetts filed legal motions on Thursday to block Donald Trump from appearing on the 2024 ballot in several states. The challenge argues that Trump's involvement in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack disqualifies him from running for office under the 14th Amendment's insurrectionist ban. In Illinois, the motion, filed with the advocacy group Free Speech For People, calls on the Illinois Board of Elections to prevent Trump from being on the primary and general election ballots and hold a hearing on the matter.
The voters wrote in their petition to the board of elections that, "Donald J. Trump, following his swearing in as an officer of the United States to uphold the Constitution, participated in insurrection or rebellion, or provided assistance and support to its enemies, as outlined in Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment."
On December 19, 2023, in Waterloo, Iowa, Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump addressed guests at a campaign event. Iowa Republicans will have the first opportunity to choose their party's nominee for the 2024 presidential race when they caucus on January 15, 2024. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The plea further states that Trump has shown no remorse for the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters and has failed to apologize for the incident.
Voter party affiliation, if any, was not included in the listing. On Thursday, the advocacy group filed a challenge to Trump's eligibility to appear on Massachusetts ballots for the primary and general presidential elections.
Former Boston Mayor Kim Janey, a Democrat, is among the contenders, as well as a diverse group of Republican, Independent, and Democratic voters, according to the group.
The challenges arise as the US Supreme Court is expected to review a Colorado state court decision that deemed Trump ineligible for office. Though the ruling is specific to Colorado, a decision from the court could have implications for the entire nation.
The adjudication of challenges like these varies from state to state, with some being resolved in the courts and others initially addressed by state election officials such as the Secretary of State. In Maine, Trump was removed from the 2024 primary ballot by the Secretary of State last week, prompting an appeal by his team in state court on Tuesday.
The Oregon Supreme Court may soon decide on a new attempt to exclude Trump from the state's primary and general election ballots due to his involvement in the January 6 insurrection. Judges in Michigan and Minnesota, on the other hand, have rejected efforts to prevent Trump from being listed on the primary ballot in those states.
Free Speech for the People has backed the efforts in Oregon, Michigan and Minnesota.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
CNNs Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report.
