Special Poll
A significant portion of Americans, as revealed in a new ABC News/Ipsos survey, are in favor of the Supreme Court playing a role in determining former President Donald Trump’s eligibility for presidential ballots. The survey indicates diverse opinions, with some supporting a nationwide disqualification and others advocating for state-level decisions.
About 30 percent of those surveyed believe the Supreme Court should mandate Trump’s removal from ballots in all states. In contrast, 26 percent feel the decision should be left to state election officials. Meanwhile, 39 percent think the Supreme Court should ensure Trump remains on the ballot in every state.
Regarding the Supreme Court’s approach to this matter, 53 percent of respondents expect the justices to rule based on the law, while 43 percent suspect the decision will be influenced by political views concerning Trump.
Recent decisions by the Colorado Supreme Court and Maine’s Secretary of State have excluded Trump from their state ballots, invoking the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection clause” due to his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider Trump’s disqualification in Colorado, with a decision anticipated after the Feb. 8 hearing.
Trump is contesting Maine’s decision, with the case advancing to Kennebec County Superior Court and potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.
Numerous challenges to Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 election ballots under the 14th Amendment have been filed nationwide. However, many have been dismissed by lower courts.
The survey also reveals that 56 percent support the criminal charges against Trump for his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, slightly higher than the 49 percent who agree with the Colorado and Maine ballot decisions.
This survey, conducted from Jan. 4-8 in both English and Spanish, involved 2,228 adults. It has a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points.