A Cook County judge has ruled that the Illinois State Board of Elections must remove former President Donald Trump's name from the state's March 19 primary ballot. The decision came after a group of voters sued to counter the election board's rejection of their effort to remove Trump's name over his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The judge placed her order on hold until Friday to allow for an appeal to be filed. The group of voters argued that Trump's actions during the Capitol riot make him ineligible to hold office under a rarely used clause in the 14th Amendment.
Despite the Election Board's unanimous rejection of the petition, the judge ruled in favor of the voters, stating that they had met their burden and that the board's decision was 'clearly erroneous.' The ruling is seen as a historic victory by those involved in the case.
The Trump campaign has expressed intent to appeal the decision, calling it unconstitutional and contradicting previous rulings in other jurisdictions. The Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on a similar case in Colorado may impact the outcome of the appeal in Illinois.
For now, the judge's order will remain on hold pending further developments in the legal proceedings. The case adds to the ongoing legal battles surrounding Trump's eligibility to appear on state primary ballots.
