Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has ruled Donald Trump’s primary petition is “invalid.” The decision was released Thursday evening, with Bellows concluding Trump does not qualify to hold the office of president under section three of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Here is her 34-page ruling.  Page 18 acknowledges that Section Three doesn’t bar anyone from voting for any candidate; instead it says the individual cannot hold the office.  But then the ruling mentions several court precedents that say states may keep unqualified candidates off various ballots (although none of the precedents is binding in Maine).

The ruling does not go into effect until after a Maine Superior Court has a chance to hear any appeal.

On December 27, the Colorado Republican Party and some voters asked the U.S. Supreme Court to undo the decision of the Colorado Supreme Court, relative to whether former President Donald Trump can be on the Republican presidential primary ballot.  .  Colorado Republican State Central Committee v Norma Anderson, 23-696.  The response is due December 29 (Friday).  Here is the petition.

On December 28, the other side filed notice with the U.S. Supreme Court that it agrees that the case should be expedited.  The other side wants it expedited even faster.

The Utah state elections office has determined that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., submitted a valid petition, so he is on the ballot as an independent presidential candidate in that state.