Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger says he can't keep Trump off the ballot in 2024

Georgia GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday arguing why he cannot keep former President Donald Trump off the 2024 presidential ballot.

Some legal scholars are arguing that secretaries of state should remove Trump from their ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which states that a public official is ineligible for public office if he has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against” America," Raffensperger writes. 

"But Georgia law contemplates a legal process that must take place before anyone is removed from the ballot. Anyone who believes in democracy must let the voters decide," the essay continues. 

There have been calls from activist groups, attorneys and some politicians to keep Trump off the ballot, citing the 14th Amendment, arguing he engaged in an insurrection with the January 6 capitol riot. 

Those opposed to this idea have argued that this is a dangerous precedent because it puts the decision of who is president in the hands of secretaries of state and governors of states.

"Mr. Trump might win the nomination and general election," Raffensperger writes. "Or he could lose. The outcomes should be determined by the people who show up to make their preference known in primaries (including Georgia’s on March 12) and the general election on Nov. 5."

Trump has been the GOP primary front runner since the start of the 2024 election cycle, leading in almost every poll by double digits.

He was indicted by Special Counsel Jack Smith last month and charged on four counts, including conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.