'The real significance of the decision is still unclear': Political analyst breaks down Trump's disqualification from Maine's ballot – WGME
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by Dan Lampariello, CBS13
AUGUSTA, Maine (WGME) — The decision by Maine's Secretary of State to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the state's primary ballot this week is leading to questions about the possible precedent it could set to the future court challenges ahead.
This ruling makes Maine the second state to disqualify Trump from the ballot, following the decision from the Colorado Supreme Court.
The decision and case here in Maine are unique because of state's election laws. State law lays out a process for residents to challenge a candidates eligibility for primary ballots, requiring the Secretary of State to issue a ruling.
The group of residents that filed the complaint claimed the former president’s role in the January 6 Capitol riot violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment and disqualifies him from office.
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"That's still a very important question, how do we know if someone has actually fulfilled these qualifications under section 3 and that they did actually play a role in insurrection," said Ron Schmidt, a political analyst and professor at the University of Southern Maine. "In Maine, our secretary of state can make that call. In Colorado, the courts make that call and in our system overall I'm guessing the Supreme Court is going to make that call."
Schmidt says while a lot is still unknown related to the future of Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' decision, at least one thing is clear; the case will almost certainly end up in court.
"The real significance of the decision at the moment is still unclear," Schmidt said. "So we're just going to have to wait and see where the court comes down."
However, with Maine's primary coming up in March the question remains how quick could the court take up this issue and rule on it.
While those issues play out, Schmidt believe the decision as it stands could play either way for former President Trump. It could hurt his campaign because he may not be on the primary ballot, but it could also help in the way of riling up his base.
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"An intense, even minority of the population that supports you can be more powerful than an unconcerned or apathetic majority," Schmidt said. "That can be a real path forward. If this really energizes the former President's supporters in Maine, that could work in ways that benefit him."
With Maine being only the 2nd sate to disqualify Trump from the ballot, the ballot surely isn't over. Experts like Schmidt believes while Maine's ruling and law are unique, eyes will still be on the future of the decision to see what precedent it could set.
"I mean this is a fight going on live in a lot of states and in most states it has to begin in the courts," Schmidt said. "In some ways this is one of those times when the ways our state is different than other states sort of changes the nature of the fight but still all of these are also inter connected."