SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — Donald Trump’s name will appear on the March 5 primary ballot in California, a rebuff to the lieutenant governor’s request to examine whether his name could be omitted.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber published a list of the state's certified candidate late Thursday night.
Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis asked Weber last week to look into the possible removal of the former president’s name, pointing to the Dec. 19 Colorado Supreme Court decision to block him from that state’s ballot.
Kounalakis’ letter to Weber was sent the day after the Colorado ruling.
“The Colorado decision can be the basis for a similar decision here in our state,” Kounalakis wrote. “The Constitution is clear: you must be 35 years old and not be an insurrectionist.”
Colorado’s high court cited Trump’s actions in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, saying he should be prohibited from public office under the 14th Amendment.
The 4-to-3 Colorado decision was stayed until Jan. 4 in anticipation of an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. That appeal came Wednesday from the Colorado Republican Party. In reaction, on Thursday the Colorado secretary of state said Trump’s name would be on the ballot, unless the high court declines to hear the case or affirms Colorado’s decision.
Weber on Thursday posted a list of certified candidates who will appear on the state’s March 5 primary election ballot. Trump’s name was included.
Weber responded to Kounalakis’ letter in a message of her own on Dec. 22, saying they could agree that the Capitol attack and Trump’s involvement were “abhorrent.” However, Weber said the situation had complex legal issues.
“The former president’s conduct tainted and continues to sow the public’s mistrust in government and the legitimacy of elections, so it is more critical than ever to safeguard elections in a way that transcends political divisions,” Weber wrote.
Any candidate’s inclusion or omission from the ballot would be based on the law, Weber continued. Additionally, her office’s commitment and respect for the rule of law would continue to guide it.
“My office will continue to assess all our options, including those that may arise as a result of any action taken by the United States Supreme Court or other changing circumstances,” Weber wrote. “If you would like to be further informed on this issue, I invite you to contact me directly.”
Trump’s candidacy has been challenged in several states. Michigan’s Supreme Court rejected the insurrectionist argument on Wednesday, ruling that Trump would stay on that state’s primary ballot.
On Thursday, Maine barred Trump from a primary ballot. Weber’s list was published hours after the Pine Tree State’s decision.
While the race for president grabs the most headlines, California voters will have many decisions to make when voting March 5. Voters will choose state Assembly members and senators, as well as the fate of Proposition 1. That ballot measure would overhaul the state’s mental and behavioral health care system.
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