The trial over an effort in Minnesota to keep former President Donald Trump off of the 2024 ballot began Thursday at the state Supreme Court as a similar case continued in Colorado.

The lawsuits in both states allege Trump should be barred from the 2024 ballot for his conduct leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. They argue Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which says no one who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” after swearing an oath to support and defend the Constitution can hold office.

A group of Minnesota voters, represented by the election reform group Free Speech for People, sued in September to remove Trump from the state ballot under the 14th Amendment provision. The petitioners include former Minnesota Secretary of State Joan Growe and former state Supreme Court Justice Paul H. Anderson.

  • probablyaCat@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Yes, but if Minnesota says he is off the ballot it will be appealed to the supreme court who is the authority on constitutional interpretation. If they side with Minnesota, not even the electoral college can put him in. Likely whichever (if any) case goes against him, all other active trials will be put on hold awaiting a response from the USSC. If they decide the 14th does apply (a big if given the state of the USSC), then it is over. In all 50 states. That’s why groups are hitting him in multiple states. They just need 1. It isn’t an attempt to take him off the ballot. It is an attempt to end his federal political career entirely.

    • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      There’s no way the SCOTUS hears the case, regardless. They’ll find a way to punt on it. Only way it happens is if Biden packs the court, which he won’t do.

      • probablyaCat@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        If they don’t hear it, then it is essentially saying they agree with the lower court ruling. If they want to be against it then they have to hear it.

      • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Bull they will hear it and rule he can be on the ballot.

        50 bucks right now to the charity of your choice. If I win donate to Doctors without borders what your financial situation will allow. Deal?

        • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          With this SCOTUS, I have little doubt the end result will be the same whether they rule in Trump’s favor or find a reason to dismiss, like lack of standing or some bullshit. If the lower court rules in his favor, they’ll pass on creating a precedent.