I just wanted to add that a website called Lawfaremedia.org is tracking these lawsuits. Five state courts have dismissed these cases, Florida, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Colorado and Michigan, with the latter two states, the dismissals are under appeal.

The map provided by Lawfaremedia.org also shows disqualification lawsuits were voluntarily withdrawn in six states, which I found odd. But there may be a good reason. All six lawsuits were initiated by John Anthony Castro, who claims to be a Republican candidate for president in the Republican primaries. I suspect these lawsuits were withdrawn because Castro knew he would lose again on the issue of standing (actual harm) and the arguments for dismissals would be pretty much copied by other judges. Or Castro might have been conserving his resources for more likely success.

Florida’s dismissal of Castro’s lawsuit was simple. Case dismissed because of issues of standing and ripeness (issue is the primary ballot prior to the election itself).

It is entirely proper that violation of our constitutional rights, including Section 3, Fourteenth amendment, barring individuals from running from office be addressed to the courts. But, the courts recognize the dangers of possibly excluding eligible candidates from the ballot.

If any single individual can make a claim in court of ineligibility based on Section 3, it would complicate our elections and thus interfering with another fundamental right of the people choosing their leaders. So, plaintiffs have a certain threshold to meet, before they get to make their case.

Thus, I do not believe any of John Anthony Castro’s lawsuits, or those from private citizens will succeed. I am pessimistic about the cases under appeal in Colorado and Michigan, as they likely will question the standing issue, and end the challenge in these states.

Each dismissal will be quickly announced by Trump’s base as a legal victory against left wing democrats. It is a fact that the disqualification effort has little chance of succeeding and was supported by both Democrats and conservative Republicans. I personally do not support this effort as I believe in the right of voters to choose their president.

Now, should any Secretaries of State exclude Donald Trump from the ballot after the parties have announce their candidates, then yes, this case will be heard on an emergency basis and likely go up to the US Supreme Court.

Stay tuned,

Dave

PS. I did not go into John Anthony Castro’s bio, but it is one full of controversy which can be googled.