Illinois Joins Maine and Colorado in Attempts to Bar Trump from Ballot

A liberal Illinois state judge ruled that Former President Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on the state’s Republican Primary ballot.

The Illinois ruling comes after similar decisions were made in Maine and Colorado, and as Illinois early voting is already underway.

“The Soros-funded Democrat front-groups continue to attempt to interfere in the election and deny President Trump his rightful place on the ballot,” said the Trump Campaign.

The decision was made by Judge Tracie Porter of the Cook County State Circuit Court on Wednesday, but will not take effect until Friday, March 1.

“The Illinois State Board of Election shall remove Donald J. Trump from the ballot for
the General Primary Election on March 19, 2024, or cause any votes cast for him to be
suppressed, according to the procedures within their administrative authority,” said Judge Porter’s ruling.

The order is stayed until Friday in anticipation of an appeal by Trump, and also includes a provision that, if the U.S. supreme court rules that Trump may remain on the Colorado ballot, he will be permitted to remain on the Illinois ballot as well.

The Supreme Court proceedings in the Colorado case are currently ongoing.

As with Trump’s removal from Maine and Colorado, the Illinois ruling relied on the constitution’s 14th Amendment.

The 14th Amendment was intended to prevent former civil-war era rebels from holding public office after the war, but Trump’s opponents have tried to apply it to him following the January 6 protests at the U.S. Capitol, claiming that he participated in an insurrection.

Trump has never been charged with insurrection.

The Illinois case stands out from the Maine and Colorado decisions in that it explicitly contradicts a unanimous, bipartisan ruling from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

On January 30, the bipartisan board voted 8-0 to allow Trump to remain on state primary ballots after his candidacy was challenged by opponents citing the 14th Amendment.

“The Electoral Board’s Decision was clearly erroneous in finding that the Respondent
Candidate’s Nominations Papers, including his Statement of Candidacy was valid,” said Porter’s ruling.

The Illinois primary will be held on March 19.

The most recent attempt to bar Trump from a primary ballot comes as Trump has been scoring blowout victories in other primaries, and as he is polling better than President Joe Biden in key swing states.