Donald Trump could be kicked off the ballot in Hawaii ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Democrats in the state have introduced legislation to ban insurrectionists from running for public office, as per the 14th Amendment. While he is not named in the bill, Trump therefore may not be eligible if this bill passes, as he has been labeled an insurrectionist because of his actions during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, in which his supporters stormed the building to contest the result of the 2020 presidential election and try to block certification of Joe Biden's victory.
The legislation was introduced by Senator Karl Rhoads last week and on Monday it passed its first reading. It moved to ban voters from electing people to president who a federal court, or state supreme court has disqualified because of the 14th Amendment. It also seeks to stop those disqualified by a court based on the constitutional amendment from appearing on party ballots for presidential and vice-presidential nominees.
Newsweek has contacted the Hawaii State Legislature and representatives for Trump by email for comment.
The bill said: "The legislature finds that citizens of this State have the right to expect that public servants be people of integrity, and not people who have committed actions that
threaten democracy or undermine the vote of the people."
It added: "Any challenge to the inclusion or exclusion of any candidate on a ballot issued by the chief election officer or clerk shall be in writing and, no later than the fifty-seventh
day prior to the general election."
Trump, the GOP frontrunner, is facing multiple ballot challenges in various states. He has been kicked off ballots in Maine and Colorado, because of the same constitutional amendment.
But the decisions in both of those states were paused on appeal. The US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the Colorado case in early February.
However, similar lawsuits to remove Trump in states including Minnesota, Michigan, Arizona and Oregon were dismissed on procedural grounds, with each state having different rules for how challenges like these are adjudicated.
Meanwhile, the Illinois State Board of Elections is currently considering a challenge to the Republican's eligibility for the 2024 ballot.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Kate Plummer is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on U.S. politics and national affairs, and ... Read more
