On February 18, 2021, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced that President Donald Trump would not be on the Maine 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot. The decision was supported by a number of Republican and Democratic election officials from across the state. Bellows cited an opinion from the State’s Attorney General who found that Trump did not meet Maine’s requirement of being a “bona fide resident” of the state to appear on the ballot.
In a statement to the press, Secretary Bellows said, “President Trump does not meet the requirements for candidates to appear on Maine’s Republican presidential primary ballot. As a result, the Maine Secretary of State’s office will not list or recognize him as a valid candidate for President in 2024.” She further noted that the decision was based solely on the state’s election code and was not a reflection of her personal or the office’s opinion regarding President Trump or any political party. The decision was supported by representatives of both major parties, including the Executive Director of the Maine Republican Party who stated, “We agree with the Attorney General’s opinion that President Trump does not meet the legally required qualifications to appear on the 2024 Maine ballot.”
