Former President Donald Trump has formally appealed the decision by Maine’s Democrat Secretary of State, who determined that Trump is ineligible to appear on the state’s ballot.
Trump’s attorneys argue that the decision was biased and lacked due process, and that the Secretary lacked the authority to hear the challenges.
The appeal follows Bellows’ controversial decision to disqualify Trump from the ballot, pending U.S. Supreme Court review.
On @WFEAradio this AM, Maine Secretary of State @shennabellows says Article I gives states authority to appear on ballot, "For example, right there in NH, @JoeBiden will not appear on the ballot even though he qualified in Maine." (Biden REFUSED to allow name on @NHDems ballot)
— NH Journal (@NewHampJournal) January 2, 2024
Trump’s attorneys said, Shenna Bellows “was the product of a process infected by bias and pervasive lack of due process; is arbitrary, capricious, and characterized by abuse of discretion.”
“The Secretary should have recused herself due to her bias against President Trump, as demonstrated by a documented history of prior statements prejudging the issue presented,” wrote the lawyers.
The lawyers added that Bellows “denied President Trump due process by failing to give him adequate time and opportunity to present a defense.”
“The Secretary lacked statutory authority to hear the challenges directed to President Trump’s supposed disqualification under to [sic] Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment,” accused the Trump team in the appeal.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung wrote that, Bellows “went outside of her authority, completely ignoring the Constitution when she summarily decided to remove President Trump’s name from the ballot, interfere in the election, and disenfranchise the voters of her state,” in a statement.
This decision mirrors a similar ruling in Colorado, where Trump is also appealing.
“For the reasons set forth below, I conclude that Mr. Trump’s primary petition is invalid,” wrote Bellows.
“Specifically, I find that the declaration on his candidate consent form is false because he is not qualified to hold the office of the President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment,” ruled Bellows.
