Attorneys representing a group of Michigan activists have urgently petitioned the state Supreme Court, seeking an expedited appeal to challenge a lower court’s ruling allowing former President Donald Trump’s name on the state’s presidential primary ballot.
The filing, submitted late Thursday, requests “immediate and expedited consideration” for appeal and an “emergency application” to bypass the state Appeals Court. The Supreme Court is urged to make a decision by Dec. 1, calling for a reversal of the lower court’s ruling and remanding the case for an evidentiary hearing on Trump’s eligibility.
The urgency is emphasized due to the impending need to finalize and print the ballots for the presidential primary election. The appeal argues that time constraints necessitate a swift resolution as any decision from the Court of Appeals would likely be further appealed, leading to prolonged legal proceedings.
The legal battle stems from a lawsuit by the liberal group Free Speech for People, aiming to prevent Trump’s inclusion on the ballot by invoking the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment. The group asserts that Trump’s alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualifies him from running for federal office under the amendment.
However, Court of Claims Judge James Redford, in a ruling released Tuesday, rejected these arguments, stating that it is the responsibility of Congress, not the court, to determine a candidate’s eligibility based on such grounds.
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign denounced the cases, framing them as attempts to “deny the American people the right to choose their next president.” Notably, this case, along with similar ones in Colorado and Minnesota, stands out as it is supported by liberal groups with more substantial resources.
The outcome of this legal maneuvering will significantly impact the forthcoming presidential primary election, adding a layer of complexity to an already contentious political landscape. The legal teams await the Supreme Court’s decision on the expedited appeal, which could shape the trajectory of Trump’s involvement in Michigan’s electoral process.
