(DCWatchdog.com) – In a stunning development, a CBS News/YouGov poll has revealed a significant partisan divide regarding former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on presidential ballots.
According to the poll, 81% of Democrats support disqualifying Trump from state ballots, while a contrasting 90% of Republicans believe he should remain on the ballot.
Among independents, opinions are more divided: 44% support removal and 56% are in favor of keeping Trump’s name on ballots.
This divide comes in the wake of actions by Colorado and Maine, where Trump has been disqualified from primary ballots.
The disqualification is based on allegations that his conduct after the 2020 election violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, related to engaging in insurrection.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, cited the events of January 6, 2021, as a key factor in her decision to disqualify Trump, emphasizing the attack on the rule of law and the constitutional implications.
Legal challenges to Trump’s ballot eligibility are ongoing in at least 13 states, including high-profile cases in Texas, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on February 8 regarding the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify Trump.
The Minnesota Supreme Court, however, has dismissed a case challenging Trump’s eligibility, stating that there is no statute preventing a political party from supporting a potentially ineligible candidate. The court did not rule out future challenges to Trump’s eligibility for the general election ballot.
The poll also sheds light on changing perceptions among Republicans regarding the January 6 Capitol riot. Approval of the rioters’ actions has increased from 21% in January 2021 to 30% now, while strong disapproval has decreased from 51% to 32%.
Reflecting broader concerns, 70% of respondents believe democracy in the U.S. is threatened, and a slight majority are uncertain about the peaceful acceptance of future presidential election losses, with 49% fearing potential violence.
The poll, conducted from January 3 to 5 among 2,157 adults, has a margin of error of ±2.8 percentage points. These findings indicate deepening partisan divides and growing uncertainty about the stability and future of American democracy.
