Colorado Republican Party Appeals State Supreme Court Ruling Keeping Donald Trump on Primary Ballot

The Colorado Republican Party has appealed a state Supreme Court ruling that found former President Donald Trump ineligible for the presidency due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The appeal has extended the stay of the 4-3 ruling from Colorado’s highest court, which put its decision on pause until Jan. 4, the day before the state’s primary ballots are due at the printer, or until an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is finished.

The appeal to the Supreme Court seeks to overturn the state court ruling, which was the first of its kind. Under the terms of the ruling, Trump will remain on the ballot for the state’s Republican primary. Trump himself has said he still plans to appeal the ruling to the nation’s highest court.

The Colorado Republican Party’s appeal to the Supreme Court is the latest development in a long-running legal battle over the meaning of a 155-year-old constitutional provision that bars from office those who “engaged in insurrection.” The appeal is likely to set off a showdown at the nation’s highest court, as the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for future elections.

The Supreme Court has yet to decide whether it will hear the case, but the appeal has already had an immediate impact on the state’s primary election. The stay of the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling has extended the deadline for the state’s primary ballots to be printed, giving the Supreme Court more time to consider the case.