Trump Can Stay on Illinois Primary Ballot Despite ‘Insurrection’ Allegations, State Panel Rules

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Voters in over 30 states have petitioned to remove Trump from the republican ballot.

Former President Donald Trump can stay on the Republican primary ballot in Illinois, the state board of elections ruled Tuesday, a defeat in a nationwide push to disqualify Trump from the 2024 election due to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

The State Board of Elections heard arguments Tuesday from Trump’s legal team and the petitioners and ruled the board did not have the jurisdiction to determine whether Trump had incited an insurrection, according to the New York Times.

The eight-member board—divided equally among Republicans and Democrats—came to its conclusion unanimously, the Washington Post reported.

The petitioners—a group of Illinois residents—argued Trump was ineligible to be on the ballot because the post-Civil War 14th Amendment prohibits people who took an oath of office and then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the [U.S.] or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof” from holding office.

Illinois’ decision comes just days before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal of Colorado’s determination that Trump cannot be on that state’s primary ballot because he engaged in an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

Crucial Quote

Trump responded to the board’s ruling on his social media platform, Truth Social, thanking the board for “protecting the Citizens of our Country from the Radical Left Lunatics who are trying to destroy it.” He added: “The VOTE was 8-0 in favor of keeping your favorite President (ME!), on the Ballot. I love Illinois. Make America Great Again!”

Key Background

Illinois is the latest in several states to determine—or decide not to determine—Trump’s primary ballot eligibility. Earlier this month, a Washington state judge ruled the former president could stay on the ballot, saying the secretary of state had acted “consistent with his duties” by including Trump on the state’s primary ballot, according to multiple reports. The judge also determined she didn’t have the power to remove someone from the ballot based on a trial or debate, stating her only power over elections is “to correct clear errors.” The Supreme Court announced on Jan. 5 that it would consider the Colorado decision, setting up a landmark ruling that could determine Trump’s eligibility nationwide as multiple states face lawsuits similar to the petition in Illinois, but some state officials have said they don’t believe they have the power to kick Trump off the ballots themselves.

What To Watch For

The Supreme Court’s decision, and how it impacts lawsuits nationwide. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Feb. 8 and it’s expected that the Court will rule quickly as primary season is already underway. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/01/30/trump-can-stay-on-illinois-primary-ballot-despite-insurrection-allegations-state-panel-rules/?sh=3dc5994f32e5)