Justices Focus on State Power in Trump Ballot Access Arguments

By Greg Stohr, Erik Larson, Lydia Wheeler, and Chris Strohm

Liberal and conservative justices both signaled skepticism Thursday that states have the power to exclude presidential candidates from the ballot because they engaged in insurrection.

The justices heard arguments over former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the ballot in Colorado’s presidential primary. The case, brought by six Colorado voters, thrusts the justices into an election contest in the biggest way since 2000’s Bush v. Gore showdown.

“I think that the question that you have to confront is why a single state should decide who gets to be president ...