In a unanimous decision, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled to keep former President Donald Trump on the state's ballot for the 2023 Republican primary. The ruling reverses a lower court decision that had removed Trump from the ballot due to state election laws.
The lower court had ruled that Trump was ineligible to run for office because he had participated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, the Colorado Supreme Court disagreed, arguing that the state's election laws do not specifically bar candidates who have been involved in insurrection.
In its ruling, the court emphasized the importance of "strict scrutiny" in election cases. The court noted that the lower court's decision had imposed a "significant burden" on Trump's right to run for office.
"We conclude that the district court erred in applying strict scrutiny to the statutory ineligibility provision," the court wrote. "The district court's error was compounded by its failure to give Trump notice of the legal standard that it would apply."
Trump responded to the ruling on his social media platform, Truth Social. He thanked the court for its decision and vowed to continue fighting for his supporters.
"I want to thank the Colorado Supreme Court for their wisdom and courage in upholding the Constitution and the rule of law," Trump wrote. "We will continue to fight for the people of Colorado and for our country!"
The decision to keep Trump on the ballot has significant implications for the Republican primary in Colorado. Trump is widely seen as the frontrunner in the race, and his presence on the ballot is likely to have a major impact on the outcome.
Other candidates in the race have expressed disappointment with the court's decision. They argue that Trump's presence on the ballot will only divide the Republican Party and make it harder to win the general election.
Despite the Supreme Court's decision, it is likely that legal challenges to Trump's candidacy will continue. The lower court's ruling was based on a provision of the Colorado Constitution that bars individuals who have been convicted of a felony from holding office.
Trump has never been convicted of a felony, but some legal experts believe that his actions on January 6, 2021, could potentially lead to criminal charges.
The Colorado Supreme Court's decision to keep Trump on the ballot is a major victory for the former President. However, it is likely that legal challenges to his candidacy will continue. The outcome of these challenges could have a significant impact on the Republican primary in Colorado and the 2023 general election.
The full text of the Colorado Supreme Court's decision can be found at the following link: