The highly anticipated 2024 U.S presidential elections, set to take place in November, have been nothing short of dramatic. One of the big questions this year was whether Republican favorite, former president, Donald Trump, was actually eligible to run. This was cleared up just in time for Super Tuesday, when 15 states and one U.S territory decide on their Republican candidate. Here’s a timeline of how the removal first happened and how it played out.
Colorado Removes Trump from their Ballot in 2023
In the lead-up to the elections, the Supreme Court in Colorado removed Trump from the ballot, citing Section 3 of the Constitution. What’s now considered a unique interpretation of the law was ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court handed down its ruling on Tuesday, 5th March, which is also Super Tuesday. This is the day 15 states and US Samoa decide on its Republican candidate before the elections. Colorado’s initial actions prompted similar rulings in Maine and Illinois, which will likely be reversed.
Section 3 of the Constitution stipulated that an insurrectionist cannot run for Office. In citing the events of January 6th, when the election results were contested by Trump supporters, resulting in mobs storming the Capitol. Colorado’s Supreme Court took the view that the former president was responsible for inciting mob-style riots and that, in terms of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, he could not run for the presidency again.
But this initial ruling wasn’t a slam dunk to begin with. In November 2023, Judge Sarah B. Wallace found the former president guilty of insurrection in Denver, Colorado. In her ruling, she was mindful of the application of Section 3 and stated that while she couldn’t accept that Trump was simply exercising free speech, she also couldn’t remove him from the ballot as a presidential candidate. This is what prompted lobbyists to seek a higher court, which ultimately ended up with the Colorado Supreme Court moving to bar Trump from seeking re-election in 2024.
The Democracy Debate
The ruling by SCOTUS has prompted questions about the state of the US democracy, with both Democrats and Republicans offering differing views. Regardless of opinion and interpretation of the Constitution, Trump v Anderson will have an interesting impact on the American democracy project.
For those arguing that democracy has been subverted, their beliefs are congruent with the Colorado Supreme Court. For the left, and left-leaning organizations like Common Cause, Trump’s triumph signifies a dangerous moment in politics. In a statement released following the ruling, Kathay Feng, Vice President of Programs at Common Cause, said that “this decision undermines the integrity of our Constitution and emboldens those seeking to disrupt and dismantle our democratic systems.”
For Republicans, the decision from SCOTUS couldn’t have come at a better time. As the odds-on favorite presidential candidate from the GOP, Trump’s potential ban was cause for concern. The unanimous overturning of the Colorado judgment gives a huge boost of confidence to Trump, the GOP, and Republicans nationwide.
Despite his tumultuous presidency, which was marked by multiple scandals and the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Trump continues to enjoy support from the Republican base. He remains resolute in the belief that the 2020 elections were stolen and is looking to make a comeback in 2024. Even after four distinct criminal indictments, Trump’s prospective challengers, with few exceptions, have stayed silent about his actions while in office or outside of it.
This news, on the heels of Super Tuesday, is cause for celebration for right-wingers across the country.
Super Tuesday and the Implications of the SCOTUS Ruling
Super Tuesday occurred on March 5, 2024, when 15 states held presidential primaries or caucuses. Over a third of all the available delegates for Republican and Democratic nominations are at stake.
While the issue of standing for election has been resolved with Colorado and Maine reinstating his name on the ballot, the dark cloud surrounding his campaign has not entirely lifted. Facing federal charges in Washington, D.C. and Florida, alongside state charges in Georgia and Florida. Supporters are hopeful these cases will be resolved before going to the polls. In these primary elections, he will face off against diplomat and former governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley. Having already won the primary election in Iowa (by a landslide) earlier this year, prompting Ron DeSantis to drop out, experts are confident he will be the victor of the Republican battle for the presidential nomination.
It’s not smooth sailing on the other side of the aisle either, with voters concerned about Biden’s age, and the poor management of the conflict in Israel/Palestine. But with few alternatives inside the party, he is likely to emerge as the democratic nominee.
What the November Elections Have in Store for Voters
The 2024 election race has already been full of plot twists and political frenzy. While voters haven’t forgotten the numerous criminal charges Donald Trump faces, they are equally displeased with the Biden/Harris administration and their leadership in the face of conflict between Israel and Palestine. Preliminary polls show that the predicted Trump vs. Biden battle will be one for the ages, with both sides facing considerable challenges in their bids to lead the nation. Preliminary national polls also indicate that it will be a close, tight race, with the current split sitting at 45% to 47% in favor of the Red party.
This year’s elections are unique, with Trump vying for the rare non-consecutive win, and Biden seeking a back-to-back second term. Both candidates are under enormous pressure within their parties and across party lines, and we can truly expect the unexpected, in the ultimate rematch at the highest of levels.
Conclusion
As we wait for the results of Super Tuesday over the course of the next few days, the call for democratic values to be respected, upheld, and protected is louder than ever. Trump vs. Anderson provided a stress test for Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, putting free speech on trial against the Constitution, two deeply important underpinnings of modern-day democracy.
With the Supreme Court of the United States ruling that only Congress can make a decision, it still leaves the possibility that Trump may yet face charges and consequences for the actions that took place on January 6th. Even more worrying is the fact that he could win in November and face a Democrat-controlled Congress that puts the President on trial.
As a beacon of hope and flag-bearer of democracy for the world, the US has a lot on its shoulders going to the polls this year; in a land for the people, by the people, it will be the people who decide the fate of its future.
