FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 4, 2024

Secretary Bellows Modifies Ruling in Challenge to Trump Presidential Primary Petitions

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows issued a modified ruling regarding challenges brought by Maine voters to the nomination petition of Donald J. Trump for the Republican primary for the President of the United States.

“I have reviewed the Anderson decision carefully. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that individual states lack authority to enforce Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment with respect to federal offices,” wrote Secretary Bellows. “Consistent with my oath and obligation to follow the law and the Constitution, and pursuant to the Anderson decision, I hereby withdraw my determination that Mr. Trump’s primary petition is invalid.”

Secretary Bellows withdrew Part D.2 of the December 28, 2023 Ruling – the section that pertains to state enforcement of Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment – as well as the Ruling’s conclusion.

As a result of the modified ruling, votes cast for Mr. Trump in the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election will be counted.

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