Staff Reports
In a victory for former President Donald Trump, the Illinois State Board of Elections has voted to keep him on the state’s primary ballot. The decision was made unanimously by the eight-member board, which included four Republicans and four Democrats. This comes after a group of voters tried to remove Trump’s name from the ballot, citing the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection” clause. But thankfully, the board saw through their partisan antics and upheld the democratic process.
Trump Wins: Illinois Board of Elections Votes to Keep Trump on Primary Ballothttps://t.co/abbJH6M3xk
— RedState (@RedState) January 30, 2024
It’s worth noting that similar attempts in other states, such as Maine and Colorado, were successful in keeping Trump off their primary ballots. These states cited a section of the 14th Amendment that prohibits officials who engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office. However, it’s important to remember that Trump has neither been indicted nor convicted of insurrection, as defined by the U.S. Code. Innocent until proven guilty, right?
It’s concerning to see these attempts to exclude Trump from the ballot based on mere allegations. Our justice system is built on the principle of due process, which means a conviction should be necessary to disqualify someone under the law. The presumption of innocence is a bedrock of our democracy, and it should be respected. These 14th Amendment claims undermine that presumption and fly in the face of fair treatment.
While legal battles are ongoing in other states, including Colorado and Maine, it’s clear that Trump’s prospects are not being hindered. Recent polling shows him leading the pack of Republican contenders and even edging ahead of President Biden in some key swing states. Despite the desperate attempts of his opponents, Trump’s popularity remains intact, and the American people continue to show their support.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on the Colorado case soon, and we can only hope that they will uphold the principles of our Constitution and the rights of all candidates to participate in the democratic process. It’s time to put an end to these partisan attempts to silence Trump and acknowledge the will of the people. Whether you love him or hate him, he deserves a fair chance to compete for the nomination and let the voters decide.
In the end, this decision by the Illinois Board of Elections is a win for Trump and a win for democracy. It sends a clear message that the American people have the power to choose their leaders, and no amount of political maneuvering can change that. So let the primary season begin, and may the best candidate prevail. And if that happens to be Donald Trump, well, it would certainly be an interesting election, wouldn’t it?
