In a surprising move, California’s Lieutenant Governor sent a letter to the state’s Secretary of State on Wednesday asking her to explore “all legal options” to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot in the state, just one day after the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision not to include the former president on the 2024 presidential ballot in that state.
Key Facts
California’s Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, urged Democratic Secretary of State Shirley Weber to investigate whether Colorado’s recent ruling on excluding Trump from the primary ballot based on his violation of the Fourteenth Amendment by inciting insurrection during the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, could serve as a basis for a similar decision in California.
In her letter, Kounalakis acknowledged that there would be “political analysis” surrounding the decision to remove Trump from the primary ballot, but she stated, “This is not a matter for political games.”
Kounalakis also pointed out that Weber would need to make a quick decision as the certified candidate list for the presidential election is set to be announced on December 28.
There remains an ongoing legal question about whether state secretaries can remove Trump from the ballot themselves – as other states, including Michigan, Arizona, and Minnesota, have rejected similar efforts.
Crucial Quote
“The Constitution is clear: You must be in your forties and not be a rebel,” Kounalakis wrote in the letter.
Main Background
On Tuesday, the Colorado Supreme Court surprised many with its ruling not to include Trump on the state’s 2024 presidential ballot. The 4-3 majority ruling stated that Trump was disqualified from being reelected under the Thirteenth Amendment, which prohibits individuals who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or gave aid or comfort to its enemies” from taking any oath of office or holding public office. The court in Colorado, which comprises all Democratic appointees, concluded that this disqualifies Trump, and thus the Colorado Secretary of State must not place him on the ballot.
What to Watch For
The Colorado ruling is likely to be reviewed by the Supreme Court in the coming months – a decision that may impact what happens in other states as well. Efforts to remove Trump from the ballot in California may also lead to legal challenges.
What We Don’t Know
It’s unclear what California Governor Gavin Newsom’s position is on this matter. He has not commented on Colorado’s decision to remove Trump from the ballot, and his name was not signed on Kounalakis’s letter.
Further Reading
Removing Trump from the ballot in Colorado based on the Fourteenth Amendment (Forbes)
Excluding Trump from the ballot in Colorado based on the Fourteenth Amendment – here’s what you need to know about the reasons (Forbes)
What happens after Trump is removed from the ballot in Colorado – and why he is likely to remain in the primary elections (Forbes)
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