Advocacy groups and critics of former President Donald Trump have attempted to remove him from the 2024 presidential ballot based on the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. This amendment states that public officials who have 'engaged in insurrection' are disqualified from ever serving again.
Three states - Colorado, Maine, and Illinois - have determined that this disqualification applies to Trump due to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his involvement in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Despite these determinations, the decisions to remove him from the Republican primary ballot were paused on appeal.
The US Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the Colorado case and unanimously ruled in early March that Trump should remain on the ballot. The Court stated that states do not have the authority to disqualify him from holding federal office.
Similar attempts to block Trump from the ballot in other key states last year were unsuccessful, as lawsuits were dismissed on procedural grounds before addressing the questions about Trump's actions on January 6. States such as Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon, Arizona, and others did not disqualify Trump from their ballots.
Each state has its own process for adjudicating challenges to a candidate's eligibility. Some cases begin in state courts, while others are initially handled by state election officials, such as a secretary of state.
CNN has been monitoring the major decisions regarding Trump's eligibility, noting that most challenges were initiated by well-funded advocacy groups with support from experienced constitutional scholars.
Additionally, there have been numerous minor lawsuits filed by individuals without legal representation, lacking standing, or filing in courts without jurisdiction. CNN is not tracking these minor cases.
As of now, the major anti-Trump ballot challenges are ongoing across the United States, with various states having different outcomes and processes for determining a candidate's eligibility.
