A Democrat-sponsored bill in Hawaii would ban former President Donald Trump from the state's 2024 primary election ballot — a challenge that has been mounted in dozens of other states.
Hawaii state Sen. Karl Rhoads — a critic of Trump and Republicans over the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol — introduced the bill earlier this week, USA Today reported.
The measure cites the third section of the 14th Amendment, which forbids elected officials who "have engaged in insurrection or rebellion."
The House Jan. 6 committee's final report, released in December 2023, concluded Trump engaged in a "multi-part conspiracy" to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election — and failed to try and stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol.
Hawaii's proposed law, which doesn't name the former president, would prohibit members of Hawaii's Electoral College from casting votes for a candidate considered disqualified under the 14th Amendment, the outlet reported.
"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 reads.
According to USA Today, the proposal mirrors challenges in more than 30 states, including Maine and Colorado, that have booted Trump off the primary ticket. Trump has appealed the blocks to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump's name will remain on the ballot until a high court hearing.
Oral arguments in the Colorado appeal case are set to begin Feb. 8.
Trump has characterized the 14th Amendment ballot ban as a "trick."
Fran Beyer ✉
Fran Beyer is a writer with Newsmax and covers national politics.
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