Massachusetts Supreme Court Denies Petition to Ban Trump From Election Ballot

A Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice denied a petition to ban former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot just one week after the Massachusetts State Ballot Law Commission rejected a challenge to ban him from the 2024 primary ballot.

A civil rights group and local law firm alleged that Trump should not be listed on the ballot because he “violated” a Constitutional clause that says anyone who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” can’t be president. 

“We believe that Mr. Trump’s candidacy for this office and placement on the Massachusetts ballot violates the Constitution, so we are challenging the constitutionality,” said Shannon Liss-Riordan, an attorney for the challengers. “It is the job of this commission to hear objections to the legality of placement of candidates on the ballot.”

The group listed Section 3 of the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which states public officials who have “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against” may be disqualified from public office.

Supreme Judicial Court Justice Frank Gaziano denied the petition, writing in his decision that the legal challenges have “come too soon.”

“If there is any question whether the commission has the authority or jurisdiction to consider the petitioners’ objections regarding Trump’s eligibility to appear on the general election ballot, that question will not become ripe until, and if, he is selected as his party’s nominee for President,” Gaziano said.