LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As several states entertain removing former President Donald Trump from the presidential position on their ballots, the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that he will appear on Michigan ballots. 

What’s going on in other states?

Within the past month two states, Colorado and Maine, have announced that they would not be including Trump on the ballot for president. 

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“I do not reach this conclusion lightly,” said Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “Democracy is sacred… I am mindful that no Secretary of State has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment.”

Maine Sec. of State Bellows clarified that the decision hinged on the events of January 6, 2021 in which President Trump “used a false narrative of election fraud to inflame his supporters.” 

“I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection,” she said. “The oath I swore to uphold the Constitution comes first above all, and my duty under Maine’s election laws, when presented with a Section 336 challenge, is to ensure that candidates who appear on the primary ballot are qualified for the office they seek.”

What did the Michigan Supreme Court dissenting opinion say?

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled last week in favor of keeping Trump on the upcoming ballot, with Justice Elizabeth M. Welch wrote the dissenting opinion. 

“The only legal issue properly before the Court is whether the Court of Claims and the Court of Appeals erred by holding that the Michigan Secretary of State lacks legal authority to remove or withhold former President Donald J. Trump’s name from Michigan’s 2024 presidential primary ballot,” said Justice Welch in a dissenting opinion. 

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson comments on the ruling.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson shared her views on the court’s decision. 

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“As Michigan’s Secretary of State — and a former election law professor and law school dean — I am keenly aware of the responsibility I bear in reassuring voters that our democracy is secure, fair and accessible, and that election results are an accurate reflection of their will,” Sec. of State Benson, “This responsibility includes ensuring that the decisions I make are nonpartisan, follow the law, uphold the Constitution and protect democracy.” 

She also acknowledges her gratitude to the Michigan supreme court for its legal proceedings. 

“We clearly stated months ago that, when it comes to ballot access for candidates in a presidential primary, my authority is limited to ensuring that any individuals “generally advocated by the national news media to be potential presidential candidates,” along with any recommended by state political parties, qualify to be on the ballot,” she said in a statement. 

Sec. Benson also told constituents that the Constitution establishes that the “U.S. Supreme Court must provide the clarity and finality to this matter.” 

“I continue to hope they do this sooner rather than later to ensure that we can move forward into 2024’s election season focused on ensuring all voters are fully informed and universally engaged in deciding the issues at stake,” she added. 

The Maine Supreme Court has until Jan. 17 to decide on the issue of Trump on the ballot after the former president appealed the ruling on Tuesday.  He is also expected to appeal the Colorado decision soon.