Colorado Court Decision Inspires California Democrats
California Democrats are seizing upon a recent court decision in Colorado that disqualified former President Trump from the state’s primary ballot. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat running for governor in 2026, sent a letter to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber urging her to explore legal options to remove Trump from the March 5 ballot. Kounalakis cited the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision as a precedent for California.
Protecting Democracy and Upholding the Rule of Law
Kounalakis emphasized that the decision to remove Trump from the ballot is about honoring the rule of law and safeguarding the pillars of democracy. By taking action against Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 insurrection, California Democrats hope to set a precedent that will affect primary and general election ballots nationwide.
Time is Running Out
As the primary election approaches, the process for creating ballots is moving swiftly. Preliminary lists of likely candidates, including Trump, have already been released. However, if Trump is disqualified, the printing and distribution of ballots would become more challenging and costly.
Legal Battles Surround Trump’s Ballot Access
Trump’s candidacy has been the subject of multiple lawsuits regarding his right to be on the ballot. Some plaintiffs have indicated they plan to drop their cases, while new ones have recently been filed. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has been named in some of these lawsuits, but she has since been removed as a defendant.
Increasing Pressure on the Courts
The Colorado court ruling is not expected to be upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, as justices are reluctant to be seen as limiting voters’ choices. However, the ruling does increase pressure on both the high court and state courts to take a stance on Trump’s eligibility. If California successfully removes Trump from the ballot, the case would likely reach the U.S. Supreme Court as well.
Urgency for a Decision
Election law experts and lawmakers are calling for a swift resolution to the legal questions surrounding Trump’s eligibility. They emphasize that the outcome of these cases has significant political implications and that voters need clarity on the law’s application.
A Potential Ripple Effect
A U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Colorado case could have far-reaching effects on other states. If the court rules on the central issue of whether Trump can be disqualified based on the Constitution’s insurrection clause, it may influence how other states handle similar cases. A ruling in favor of disqualification would open the door for more states to follow suit.
