In a recent development, a Maine judge has decided to temporarily hold off on a decision regarding former President Donald Trump's ballot status. The pause is to allow the U.S. Supreme Court sufficient time to issue a ruling on a similar case in Colorado.

Trump's lawyers had originally appealed in state court when Secretary of State Shenna Bellows removed the Republican front-runner from the presidential primary ballot. However, they subsequently requested that the judge suspend proceedings until the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the Colorado case, which could potentially render the lawsuit moot.

While Superior Court Judge Michaela Murphy determined that she lacked the authority to stay the judicial proceedings, she did exercise her authority to remand the case back to the secretary of state. The judge instructed Bellows to await the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court case before taking any action on her original decision, whether it be withdrawing, modifying, or upholding it.

Judge Murphy explained in her decision that the issues presented in the Maine case paralleled those raised in the Colorado case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. By putting the decision on hold, she sought to minimize any potential destabilizing effects brought about by inconsistent rulings. This move also intends to promote greater predictability in the lead-up to the primary election in the coming weeks.

Judge Bellows previously concluded that Trump did not meet the ballot qualifications under the insurrection clause in the U.S. Constitution. She specifically cited his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This made her the first election official to bar Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment. Trump argued that Bellows displayed bias and exceeded her authority.

Notably, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who "engaged in insurrection" from holding office, has never been ruled upon by the nation's highest court. Some legal scholars assert that this post-Civil War clause applies to Trump in light of his actions to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his encouragement of supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol following his loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Activists have been advocating for election officials to exclude Trump from the ballot using this clause.

Secretary of State Bellows, a Democrat, is presently reviewing the judge's decision and had no immediate comment, according to her spokesperson. Bellows had already postponed implementing her decision until the court cases reached a resolution, affirming her commitment to following the rule of law.

This ruling comes a week after Colorado became the first state to bar Trump from the ballot, although the decision in that state is also on pause pending the outcome of its appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. Arguments for the Colorado case are scheduled for February 8.

For the time being, Trump, who recently won the Iowa caucuses, remains on the Maine ballot for the primary scheduled on March 5, as overseas ballots must be sent by this upcoming Saturday. However, if the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately upholds the exclusion of Trump from the ballot, Secretary of State Bellows would be obligated to inform local election officials that any votes cast for him will not be counted.

Maine possesses four electoral votes and is one of two states that split them. Trump secured one of Maine's electors when he was elected in 2016 and again in 2020, despite losing his bid for re-election.