As the Republican primaries unfold, there’s growing concern that former President Donald Trump might face exclusion from the ballot in Hawaii. A bill gaining traction aims to bar voters from electing presidential candidates identified by a federal or state supreme court as insurrectionists.
The proposed legislation also seeks to prohibit Hawaii state electors from voting for a nominee disqualified under the 14th Amendment.
Hawaii State Sen. Karl Rhoads, D, the bill’s proponent, additionally proposed safeguards that require state electors to pledge against casting their ballots for any nominee disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, in case voters nominate an individual who is considered an insurrectionist.
“The Legislature finds that citizens of this State have the right to expect that public servants be people of integrity, and not people who have committed actions that threaten democracy or undermine the vote of the people,” the bill states.
Despite Trump being removed from ballots in Colorado and Maine, he hasn’t been legally found guilty of insurrection charges. Both states’ decisions are pending appeal.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review Colorado’s decision, upheld by the state Supreme Court, in early February.
It remains uncertain whether the Supreme Court will secure Trump’s name on all state ballots or if states will explore alternative avenues, such as the proposed bill in Hawaii, to exclude the GOP frontrunner from the state ballot.
Similar lawsuits that aim to remove Trump from ballots in Minnesota, Michigan, Arizona and Oregon were dismissed on procedural grounds, according to Newsweek. Meanwhile, the Illinois State Board of Elections is reportedly contemplating a challenge to the former president’s eligibility for appearing on the state’s ballot.
