The Oregon Supreme Court has declined to review a lawsuit that aimed to exclude President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential election. The lawsuit alleged that Trump violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, thus questioning his eligibility to be on the state’s ballot. The plaintiffs, five Oregon voters, argued that Trump’s alleged involvement in the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, constituted an insurrection and rendered him ineligible.
However, it is important to note that January 6 was not classified as an insurrection, and Trump has never been convicted of any related crime. Consequently, the court rejected the opportunity to hear the case, citing a lack of authority to address the matter at the primary stage.
“Today, the Oregon Supreme Court declined to hear, for now, a challenge by five Oregon voters (relators) seeking to preclude Donald J. Trump from appearing on the Oregon 2024 Republican primary and general election ballots,” the court announced.
Several states in the United States are currently engaged in legal disputes to eliminate Trump’s name from their respective state ballots, a move primarily led by Democrats. They persistently assert the unfounded allegation that Trump’s actions on January 6th breached a clause in the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who have participated in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution from holding political office.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing to deliberate on whether President Trump will appear on the Republican presidential primary ballot in Colorado. The justices have expedited the case and plan to commence arguments on February 8th.
“The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted,” the SCOTUS decision said.
“The case is set for oral argument on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
“Petitioner’s brief on the merits, and any amicus curiae briefs in support or in support of neither party, are to be filed on or before Thursday, January 18, 2024.”
The Colorado Secretary of State has been directed by the SCOTUS justices to include Trump’s name on the GOP primary ballot through an administrative stay. It is required that his name remains on the ballot until a final decision is reached in the case.
The state supreme court has indicated the possibility of future petitions, pending the anticipated ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on the removal of candidates from the ballot based on the 14th Amendment clause.
The Oregon court’s media release said:
“Because a decision by the United States Supreme Court regarding the Fourteenth Amendment issue may resolve one or more contentions that relators make in the Oregon proceeding, the Oregon Supreme Court denied their petition for mandamus, by order, but without prejudice to their ability to file a new petition seeking resolution of any issue that may remain following a decision by the United States Supreme Court.”
