Maine Candidate Boasts of Unconstitutional Ballot Moves

Shenna Bellows touts her efforts to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot, despite the Supreme Court unanimously rejecting the move.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:25pm

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A photorealistic painting of an old, wooden ballot box sitting alone in an empty, dimly lit government office, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and creating deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of melancholy and the erosion of democratic norms.A recent wave of efforts to undermine democratic processes has exposed the fragility of American elections.NYC Today

Shenna Bellows, a former ACLU executive director running for governor in Maine, is touting her decision to remove former President Trump from the 2024 ballot, a move the Supreme Court unanimously rejected in Colorado and Maine. Bellows is campaigning on her willingness to take flagrantly unconstitutional action, capturing the current age of political rage and revenge over reason.

Why it matters

Bellows' boasts about violating the Constitution to block a democratic vote highlight the growing trend of some politicians prioritizing their own political agenda over upholding democratic principles. This raises concerns about the integrity of elections and the rule of law.

The details

In 2024, Bellows sought to remove Trump's name from the primary ballot in Maine, claiming he was unfit for office. However, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected this move in both Colorado and Maine, declaring 'Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaos.' Bellows' efforts ultimately failed, with a superior judge enjoining her and the high court ruling against her 9-0, including three liberal justices.

  • In 2024, Bellows attempted to remove Trump from the primary ballot in Maine.
  • The Supreme Court unanimously rejected Bellows' move in both Colorado and Maine in 2024.

The players

Shenna Bellows

A former ACLU executive director in Maine who is now running for governor on a platform of taking unconstitutional actions to block certain candidates from the ballot.

Supreme Court

The nation's highest court that unanimously rejected Bellows' efforts to remove Trump from the 2024 primary ballot in Maine and Colorado.

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The takeaway

Bellows' boasts about her willingness to violate the Constitution to block a democratic vote highlight the growing trend of some politicians prioritizing their own political agenda over upholding democratic principles, raising concerns about the integrity of elections and the rule of law.