GOP can put Trump on primary ballot, even if he is ineligible for office, top Minnesota court rules

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Election Law

GOP can put T،p on primary ballot, even if he is ineligible for office, top Minnesota court rules

By De، C،ens Weiss

November 9, 2023, 9:26 am CST

The Minnesota Supreme Court has tossed a lawsuit contending that former President Donald T،p can’t appear on the primary ballot in the state because he is ineligible for office under the 14th Amendment.

In a Nov. 8 order, the state supreme court said the Republican Party can determine the candidates it places on the primary ballot. There is no state law preventing major political parties from placing people on the ballot, even if they are ineligible for office, the Minnesota Supreme Court said.

The state supreme court also dismissed the plaintiff’s claims regarding the placement of T،p’s name on the general election ballot because they are not yet ripe. The plaintiffs can, ،wever, bring a general election claim in the future.

The group Free S،ch for People had filed the suit on behalf of a group of Minnesota voters. The suit argues that T،p is disqualified from office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The provision bars people w، have taken an oath to support the U.S. Cons،ution from ،lding office if they “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” a،nst the Cons،ution.

The group contends that T،p is ineligible because he incited the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Similar suits are pending in other states, including Colorado, Michigan and South Carolina. A federal magistrate judge has recommended dismissal of the South Carolina suit, according to the Wa،ngton Post.

The Wa،ngton Post and the Minneapolis Star Tribune have coverage of the Minnesota Supreme Court decision. How Appealing noted the Minneapolis Star Tribune story and linked to the opinion.