Trump asks US Supreme Court to review Colorado ruling barring him from ballot, AP Explains

Former President Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Colorado ruling that bars him from the state’s ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He also appealed a similar decision by Maine's Democratic secretary of state on Tuesday. Associated Press reporter Nick Riccardi says the appeal of the Colorado ruling is the most significant because it will allow the U.S. Supreme Court to make an ultimate ruling on the matter. “The appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is especially significant because the nation's highest court has never before ruled in a case involving section three of the 14th Amendment. That's a civil war era provision that says that if you swore an oath to support the Constitution, then engaged in insurrection, you no longer are qualified for office,” Riccardi said. On December 19th, Colorado’s Supreme Court in a four to three decision said the clause does bar Trump from the ballot, and shortly afterward the Maine secretary of state agreed. However, Trump will remain on the ballot until a decision is made. “Now, it's important to note that both in Maine and Colorado, he is still on the ballot. Both of those entities, both the Colorado Supreme Court in the Maine secretary of state stayed their decisions, recognizing that the U.S. Supreme Court that's going to have the final word on this,” Riccardi said. Riccardi also adds that some of the high court’s more originalist justices—those who follow the plain text of the Constitution—may be put in a tricky position when they decide on a ruling for the case.