Former President Donald Trump can remain on the Illinois Republican presidential primary ballot.
For the time being, at least.
The Illinois State Board of Elections unanimously dismissed a claim that Trump is constitutionally ineligible to appear on the ballot for inciting an insurrection against the authority of the United States.
The watchdog group Free Speech for the People brought the latest suit challenging Trump’s eligibility under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
The 8-0 vote is noteworthy as the elections board is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.
The bipartisan panel concluded it lacked the authority to decide Trump’s fate. Writing for The Hill, Caroline Vakil, notes that, despite any future uncertainty, Tuesday’s ruling is a clear victory for the 45th president in a Democratic stronghold, unlike prior rulings in other blue states:
Recent rulings in Maine and Colorado were in favor of keeping Trump off their respective primary ballots, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits certain officials from holding public office if, after previously taking an oath to support the Constitution, they then engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.
Trump’s name, however, will remain on the Colorado ballot as the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in that case next week. The ruling will have implications on whether Trump’s name could be placed on other primary ballots across the country.
The Illinois primary is scheduled for March 19.
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