In a surprising ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court has decided not to include former President Donald Trump on the state's 2024 presidential ballot. This decision has raised eyebrows as it deviates from the state's historical voting pattern. Trump's absence from the ballot in Colorado underscores the uphill battle Republicans have faced in winning over voters in the state.
To understand the significance of this ruling, let's revisit the 2016 election and Trump's path to victory. In that election, Trump secured 304 electoral votes, while his opponent, Hillary Clinton, garnered 227. Trump's strategy hinged on winning critical battleground states in the Great Lakes region, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Colorado, known as a traditionally blue state, was not a necessary win for Trump in 2016, and he ultimately lost it. Republicans have not won Colorado since George W. Bush secured the state in 2004.
With the 2024 election fast approaching, many experts initially predicted Colorado would lean towards the Democratic candidate. This prediction remains unchanged even after the court's decision. In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden won the state by a comfortable margin of 13.5 percentage points. Therefore, this ruling is unlikely to have a significant impact on Biden's chances of securing Colorado in 2024.
However, when examining the bigger picture, this decision does shed light on Trump's potential pathway to victory. If we analyze Trump's electoral votes in 2020, he secured 235. Accounting for the states he lost but currently leads in, such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, his potential 2024 total reaches a winning threshold of 302 electoral votes.
Twitter Post On Trump's path to victory in 2024 gains momentum without Colorado
While the court's ruling in Colorado may not heavily sway the overall outcome, the question of whether other states will follow suit remains unanswered. This decision raises concerns about the potential exclusion of Trump from other state ballots where his presence could prove crucial to his electoral success.
Importantly, public sentiment regarding Trump's actions on January 6, the date of the Capitol insurrection, will likely have a substantial impact on how voters perceive this exclusion. A recent poll indicates that a majority of Americans, 51%, believe Trump is guilty of subverting the 2020 election, while 26% disagree. However, a notable 22% remain uncertain, suggesting a divided public opinion.
With the nation deeply divided over Trump's presidency and actions, the outcome of this verdict may further exacerbate these divisions. As the 2024 election approaches, it is evident that jury selection, figuratively speaking, will play a crucial role in shaping the final verdict on Trump's political future. Whether other states decide to follow Colorado's lead or chart a different course remains to be seen.
