Some Illinois voters want Trump off state’s primary ballot

Five citizens from across the state filed a petition on Thursday with the Illinois State Board of Elections to keep former President Donald Trump’s name from appearing on the Republican primary ballot. The document argues Trump is no longer eligible to hold public office after his actions during the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Petitions across dozens of states make the same argument, pointing to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The Civil War-era clause excludes an individual from holding office if he or she has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” or “given aid or comfort” to insurrectionists while under a previous oath of government leadership.

When will the board decide on the petition? Illinois State Election Board spokesman Matt Dietrich said the board has not yet set a hearing date for the petition. “Regardless of what our board does, either side can then contest that result in court and have a court review the case and potentially overturn it,” Dietrich said.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report in WORLD Magazine on how Trump’s indictments may affect his 2024 run.