Maine official appeals her removal of Trump from voting ballots to state's top court
Bellows is asking the Maine court to review her decision before the upcoming ruling from the Supreme Court of the United States on Trump's eligibility
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Secretary of State in Maine is appealing to the state's top court in her case aiming to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced Friday an appeal to the state's Supreme Judicial Court, asking for a ruling on her previous decision to remove Trump from the ballot.
"Like many Americans, I welcome a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court in the Colorado case that provides guidance as to the important Fourteenth Amendment questions in this case," Bellows said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MAINE SUPERIOR COURT ISSUES A STAY ON STATE'S DECISION TO BAR TRUMP FROM PRIMARY BALLOT
Democrat Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. (John Patriquin/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
Trump appealed Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' ruling earlier this month, but the court on Wednesday said it will not consider the matter until the high court issues its own decision in a related case out of Colorado, saying it would be "imprudent" for the court to rule on it before then.
But Bellows is asking Maine's top court to preemptively rule on the legality of disqualifying the former president beforehand.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"In the interim, Maine law provides the opportunity to seek review from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court – which I requested today. I know both the constitutional and state authority questions are of grave concern to many," Bellows said of her continued efforts.
She added, "This appeal ensures that Maine’s highest court has the opportunity to weigh in now, before ballots are counted, promoting trust in our free, safe and secure elections."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In December, the Colorado Supreme Court disqualified Trump from appearing on the state's ballots in 2024.
Former US President and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump applauds at a watch party during the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses in Des Moines, Iowa. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
The disqualification, which was made under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, is related to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We do not reach these conclusions lightly," the court's majority wrote. "We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us. We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach."
Following Colorado's decision, more than a dozen states have challenged Trump's eligibility to appear on election ballots for the primary or general elections.
Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman and Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.