Trump Loses First Bid to Toss Suit Seeking to Block Him from Colorado Ballot<br />Former President Donald Trump has lost the first of several attempts to throw out a lawsuit that seeks to block him from the 2024 presidential ballot in Colorado.<br />Colorado District Judge Sarah Wallace rejected Trump's bid to get the lawsuit dismissed on free-speech grounds.<br />The lawsuit is based on the 14th Amendment's prohibition against insurrectionists holding public office.<br />A trial to determine Trump's eligibility is set for October 30, if the case reaches that stage.<br />Colorado election officials say there's a "hard deadline" to resolve the dispute before January 5, when the ballot printing process begins for the March 5 Republican primary.<br />A post-Civil War provision of the 14th Amendment disqualifies American officials who have "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" from future office.<br />In her ruling, Judge Wallace stated that it is to the benefit of the general public that only constitutionally qualified candidates are placed on the ballot.<br />This is one of three major challenges against Trump's eligibility for the 2024 ballot.<br />Similar cases are pending in Minnesota and Michigan.<br />Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed the Colorado lawsuit on behalf of a group of Republican and unaffiliated voters in the state.<br />Legal scholars are split on how the 14th Amendment could be applied to Trump and how the ban would be implemented.<br />Many expect the Supreme Court to ultimately weigh in on the matter, with the 2024 election approaching.<br />#latestnews #news #cnn
