Trump included in Colorado GOP primary despite US Supreme Court appeal

As reported by ABC News, former President Donald Trump has secured a spot on Colorado's Republican primary ballot as certified by the state's secretary of state, Jena Griswold. This decision follows the US Supreme Court's announcement that it will review Trump's legal team's appeal regarding a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that initially disqualified him under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Secretary Griswold met the January 5 deadline to certify candidates for the presidential primary ballots of each political party, allowing county clerks to proceed with printing the ballots. Starting January 20, these clerks can begin mailing the ballots to military and overseas voters in preparation for the state's primary election on March 5.

Trump's certification is a consequence of a December 19 Colorado Supreme Court ruling that initially deemed him ineligible for the GOP primary due to his involvement in the events of January 6, 2021, which the court considered as "engaging in insurrection." Despite this, Trump remains on the certification list as the Colorado Supreme Court has temporarily stayed its decision pending Trump's team's appeal filed before January 4.

The Colorado GOP has appealed to the US Supreme Court, with oral arguments scheduled for Thursday, February 8. Unless the US Supreme Court upholds the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling, Trump will persist as a candidate for the GOP primary. It is crucial to note that once the ballots are printed, they cannot be altered.

Secretary Griswold acknowledged that Colorado has procedures in place for candidates who drop out or become disqualified after the ballots are sent out and votes are cast. According to the Colorado code, the secretary of state possesses "broad rule-making authority" to avoid voter confusion. Griswold clarified that if Trump is disqualified after the votes are cast, the votes for him will not be counted.

Colorado will initiate the necessary procedures once it receives guidance from the US Supreme Court, either in the form of a decision not to review the case or a ruling in favor of the Colorado Supreme Court.

अमेरिकी सुप्रीम कोर्ट की अपील के बावजूद ट्रंप को कोलोराडो GOP प्राथमिक में शामिल किया गया