Minnesota Supreme Court dismisses petition to remove Trump from 2024 primary ballot

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a request to bar former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential nomination primary ballot.

The case, brought by the left-leaning group Free Speech for People, argued that Trump is ineligible to be on the ballot because of his role in the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. The 14th Amendment includes an “insurrection” clause, which restricts anyone from holding government office if they’ve engaged in an insurrection. 

The group believes that Trump’s actions on Jan. 6 and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results violate the insurrection clause.

The state’s highest court didn’t address the insurrection allegation head-on, instead issuing an order Wednesday stating that who appears on the primary ballot is an internal party issue. 

“There is no state statute that prohibits a major political party from placing on the presidential nomination primary ballot, or sending delegates to the national convention supporting, a candidate who is ineligible to hold office,” the order states.

The state Supreme Court dismissed the petition without prejudice, meaning the group may bring a challenge to putting Trump’s name on the 2024 general election ballot.

Similar cases are also being heard in other states, including Colorado. 

Although state courts are hearing these cases, the issue is on a path that will likely end in the U.S. Supreme Court. The Republican supermajority on the high court will likely rule to keep Trump on the ballot.