Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas’ Statement on the Colorado Supreme Court’s Decision Disqualifying Donald Trump from the 2024 Presidential Primary Ballot

December 21 2023

As Vermont’s Secretary of State, I take nothing more seriously than my non-partisan role as Vermont’s Chief Elections Officer and overseeing free, fair, accessible, and transparent elections. Vermont’s 2024 elections will be held with integrity and in accordance with state and federal law; my commitment to this and to democracy is ironclad.

The Colorado case and similar state court cases pending throughout the country explore complex legal and constitutional questions and it appears that U.S. Supreme Court review is forthcoming.  As the various legal proceedings unfold, it is important to make clear that the Vermont Secretary of State has no role in making a legal determination about Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the primary ballot or to hold the office of President.

Our role, as directed by statute, is to place any person's name on the Presidential Primary ballot if that person files the requisite number of signatures, consent form, and filing fee prior to the deadline on December 15, 2023.  Any further questions regarding a specific candidate's underlying qualifications for the office they are seeking are properly left to the courts to adjudicate.

Colorado state court rulings are not binding here in Vermont.  Until a court with appropriate jurisdiction orders this office to remove a candidate from the primary ballot, my team will continue to prepare the March Presidential Primary ballots with all candidates who met the administrative requirements mentioned above.

My office is actively engaged in monitoring the various court cases and will continue to consult with our Attorney General, other secretaries of state, and legal experts in Vermont and nationally as the legal process unfolds.