In a significant move, Maine's top election official has disqualified Donald Trump from the state's primary ballot for the 2024 US presidential election, making it the second state, after Colorado, to bar the former president. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, asserted that Trump's false claims about voter fraud and his role in inciting the Capitol attack constituted an insurrection, leading to his disqualification.

The decision, pending review by the state supreme court, follows claims by former Maine lawmakers citing a constitutional clause barring individuals engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" from holding public office. While the ruling impacts the March primary, its potential influence on Trump's eligibility for the November general election adds to the pressure on the US Supreme Court to address nationwide questions about his candidacy.

Trump, a frontrunner in 2024 Republican polls, faces similar challenges in Colorado and vows to appeal, criticizing the challenges as "undemocratic." Despite legal hurdles, Trump's lead in the polls remains formidable, emphasizing the complex dynamics surrounding his political future.