Top court says states can’t ban Trump from ballots

The Supreme Court has ruled that individual states cannot bar former President Donald Trump from appearing on their ballots, a significant victory for Trump and his supporters. The decision, which was made in a 7-2 vote, underscores the Court’s commitment to protecting the rights of political candidates to run for office.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the majority, stated that states lack the authority to determine who is or is not qualified to run for federal office. She emphasized that such decisions are reserved for the voters and the Constitution.

This ruling comes in response to several states attempting to pass laws that would prevent Trump from appearing on their ballots due to his involvement in the January 6th insurrection and other controversies during his presidency. Trump argued that these laws were unconstitutional and ultimately prevailed in his legal challenge.

Overall, the Supreme Court’s decision reaffirms the principle of free and fair elections, ensuring that all eligible candidates have the opportunity to compete for public office. It also sets a precedent for future cases involving the qualifications of political candidates.