LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) –As states consider whether or not to allow former President Donald Trump to be on the ballot for the next presidential election, Michigan is seeking clarification.
Yesterday, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson formally petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a decision on former president Trump’s eligibility to serve as president under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed an amicus brief on behalf of Secretary Benson earlier this week in the Colorado case Trump v. Anderson, et.al. Oral arguments in the case will commence at the Supreme Court on Feb. 8.
The brief states that although former President Donald Trump will appear on Michigan’s presidential primary ballot in February, the Court of Appeals ruling still “allows appellants to renew their legal efforts as to the Michigan general election later in 2024 should Trump become the Republican nominee for President of the United States or seek such office as an independent candidate.”
Because the State of Michigan and Benson could still be targets of renewed efforts to disqualify the former President from appearing on the November ballot, the Secretary of State has a “substantial interest” in having the matter resolved beforehand.
Secretary Benson says, “Our Constitution is clear – it is the responsibility of the U.S. Supreme Court to provide the certainty voters and election administrators need in this case without delay. The American people need to be able to cast ballots in the upcoming presidential primary with confidence that this matter has been resolved.”
Other states remove Trump from the ballot.
Although Maine found Trump ineligible for the primary ballot in their state, a Superior Court judge put the decision on hold on Wednesday according to the Associated Press. This will allow time for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the Colorado case. In the interim, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has appealed the decision.
Michigan Supreme Court outlines stance on Trump’s eligibility.
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled in December that the former president will appear on the ballot for the state’s Republican presidential primary on Feb. 27 unless the U.S. Supreme Court ruled otherwise.
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The state Supreme Court’s ruling affirmed Secretary Benson’s position that Michigan law requires any person “generally advocated by the national news media to be potential presidential candidates,” along with any recommended by state political parties, to appear on the primary ballot.
“I will continue to honor my obligation to ensure my decisions are nonpartisan, follow the law, and uphold our democratic process,” Benson said. “For the good of the nation, it’s time for us to get on with the business of holding free and fair elections and defending our democracy.”
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