NEW: Lawsuit Filed to Block Donald Trump's Ballot Access in Colorado 2024 Presidential Primary
A group of Republican and unaffiliated voters in Colorado have taken an unusual step by filing a lawsuit in an attempt to block former President Donald Trump from appearing on the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot. The plaintiffs argue that Trump's actions following the 2020 presidential election violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and thus rendered him ineligible for public office.
The lawsuit, filed against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, alleges that Trump's conduct during his presidency disqualified him from holding office. The plaintiffs claim that Trump deliberately undermined confidence in the nation's electoral system by perpetuating falsehoods and encouraging a violent insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, which they argue was an attempt to overturn the election results.
Citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits those who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding public office, the plaintiffs assert that Trump's actions violated his oath to support the Constitution. They argue that this disqualifies him from being a presidential candidate in Colorado's 2024 primary.
The six plaintiffs, represented by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW), a Washington-based watchdog group, seek to protect the rights of Republican and independent voters and ensure that the upcoming primary election is conducted with candidates who are constitutionally qualified to hold office. They contend that disqualifying Trump will prevent him from siphoning off support from other candidates and safeguard voters' opportunity to choose a qualified candidate in the general election.
For the lawsuit to succeed, the court would need to determine whether Trump's actions constitute engagement in insurrection or rebellion as outlined in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. If found guilty, Trump would be ineligible for public office unless granted amnesty by a majority vote in Congress.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold has welcomed the resolution of this petition in Colorado court, expressing hope that it will provide clarity on Trump's eligibility as a candidate. Griswold's office notes that there is uncertainty surrounding how to interpret the requirements of the U.S. Constitution, particularly with respect to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
Similar lawsuits to disqualify Donald Trump based on the 14th Amendment have been filed in New Hampshire, Arizona, and Michigan, indicating a broader legal effort to challenge his potential candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.