California Senate passes bill that would keep Trump off 2020 ballot unless he releases tax returns

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: The Hill

he California state Senate on Thursday approved a bill to require candidates appearing on the presidential primary ballot — including President Trump — to release five years' worth of income tax returns.

The measure was approved in a 27-10 vote, according to The Associated Press. California, for the first time, will be one of the first states to hold its presidential primary in the 2020 cycle.

The bill is a response to Trump's insistence that he will not release his tax returns as presidential candidates traditionally have done, claiming he is under audit. If the bill becomes law and Trump does not release his returns, he may not appear on the California primary ballot.

"We believe that President Trump, if he truly doesn’t have anything to hide, should step up and release his tax returns,” said state Sen. Mike McGuire (D) who co-authored the bill, according to the AP.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/441908-california-senate-passes-bill-that-would-keep-trump-off-2020-ballot

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I believe several states so far have done this.

[LiberalFighter]

1. Needs to happen in all states to be effective.

[thesquanderer]

4. No, just in the ones he won. And they're not likely to do it.

What CA does doesn't matter, he's not getting those electoral votes anyway.

[Volaris]

12. I was just gonna say,

He could sign medicare for all and he's not gonna win Cali, so this is good only in that it sets an example .

[Flaleftist]

15. It could matter if he had a strong enough primary challenger.

But given the cult-like mentality of his base, I don't think that is going to be a problem for him.

[krispos42]

26. It will depress Republican voter turnout in that state...

...if the biggest Republican isn't on the ballot. And it will affect down-ticket races as a result.



Dems should pick up more seats in state, county, and local races as a result.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

28. Right. But what about popular vote?

[CousinIT]

7. If they do that in the General Election and enough states do it, he won't be able to win. n/t

[Fiendish Thingy]

14. No only enough states to get 270 Electoral Votes. Nt

[Honeycombe8]

2. I wonder if that's legal. I guess we'll find out.

Trump won't win CA, anyway, so he may not care. But it sets a precedent, so they sort of have to fight it.

[Fiendish Thingy]

16. But if he's not on the primary ballot in CA, he may not even be the nominee

Although the GOP is already putting the fix in so the voters won't actually be picking the nominee.

[Honeycombe8]

35. Good point. Depends on how they worded the law.

Whether it applies to primaries or just the general election. After all, a "candidate" for the Presidency is one who has won the nomination in the primary.

[ripcord]

39. Trump will file a lawsuit as soon as he is denied a spot on the ballot

Then it will most likely be tied up in court until after the election so Trump will be allowed to run.

[Honeycombe8]

41. It can be expedited. nt

[ginnyinWI]

27. Oh he'll care all right.

He can't stand to be a loser. Or to be insulted. LOL

[Cha]

3. KR!

[sheshe2]

5. OMG!

[babylonsister]

6. Yay! I hope this gets lots of press. nt

[Gregory Peccary]

8. This is not just about Trump

But future Ratfinks

[skylucy]

9. That won't be helpful to any Republicans who are running for

congressional seats in 2020.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

29. +1

[msongs]

10. the US constitution defines presidential eligibility and tax return release is not one of them nt

[Volaris]

13. He's still eligible to be pres, but I here's no requirement for getting in any states ballot

[ancianita]

11. More states with bills moving: Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland,

Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia

Yep, they could definitely do some damage to congressional Republican votes.

[Volaris]

24. Now THAT would be a problem for him hahahaha!!!

[mahina]

37. It failed to pass in Hawaii. I don't know about the others. Wish it passes.

Nt

[MichMan]

17. Should apply to everyone on the ballot, not just presidential candidiates

I don't understand why those states only require tax returns from the presidential candidates only ?

The law should apply to EVERYONE on the ballot from county clerks, state senators & representatives, state AG, governors, federal representatives & senators, and judges. After all, if they have nothing to hide...…

[still_one]

32. I think they will use the 14th ammendment when it is taken to the SC, but I also think that your

argument regarding everyone should be required could be used as an argument

[pangaia]

18. Could this 'movement' backfire and we see republican states

start refusing to let dems on a ballet unless... something....

[robbob]

19. I worry more that it will fire up GOP voters in swing states to support tRump...

I can just picture the ginned up outrage this move will provoke. Not sure this is a good idea...

[BlueStater]

43. Like they weren't going to come out in droves for him anyway.

Let those dipshits throw a temper tantrum.

[robbob]

46. Well, actually...

There has been plenty of talk about borderline trumpers who are becoming disillusioned and might sit the next one out. If California and other reliably blue states pass laws barring tRump from appearing on the ballot (which, face it, is a purely symbolic gesture in such a solidly Democrat state), the noise machine will start stirring up the apathetic by telling them the “deep state” is conspiring against their guy. It could back fire by creating a wave of sympathy support for someone who clearly doesn’t deserve any.

[madville]

34. Like if they passed that Hillary had to release 5 years of medical records

Same idea, I don't think it will hold up in court myself. Divorce records, school records, birth certificates, the list is endless and could be tailored and weaponized against candidates on either side.

[blueinredohio]

20. If enough blue states do it he won't run because he's not gonna show his taxes.

[calimary]

21. That'd be 50+ Electoral College votes he'd be denied.

He wouldn't get 'em in the first place, but it could make a difference, depending on the math.

[California_Republic]

23. But what about the primary!

A Republican opponent would win California

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. But he wouldn't get any popular votes, right. Thats

Enough to guarantee he won't win the pop vote, right?

[subterranean]

33. Yes, but then he could blame it on the fact that he wasn't on the ballot.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

38. Yes, true. But it sure would skew the pop numbers, huh.

He got 3.9 mil votes in CA in 2016

[iluvtennis]

22. Yay!!!

[George II]

25. "This is a big fucking deal!"

[still_one]

31. I think this will be decided by the SC, and probably ruled that states cannot use tax returns as a

requirement to be on the ballot, using the 14th amendment as their basis

[Javaman]

36. I know Pennsylvania is considering this. I hope they do this. nt

[CousinIT]

40. Plus, a vote for any write-in candidate won't be counted .....

.... unless said write-in candidate has released their tax returns, too. This way MAGAts can't just write-in Trump.

They need to put some long, sharp teeth into this.

[ROB-ROX]

42. This Is My State Where The Minority Is RED

This should hit old bone spurs where it hurts, his MIND. I think other blue states will do similar laws to STOP the yellow TURD. This will make GOP fight for their HERDS ATTENTION. This will be so ROYAL.......

[Sgent]

44. This sounds a lot like

congressional term limit initiatives that were tried back in the 90's and denied ballot access to Senators / Reps running for reelection and was eventual struck down. Although maybe its different since the legislature could directly appoint presidential electors as well...

[Cold War Spook]

45. Yes, this may ride on U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton

The law that a person must show his or her tax returns to be on the ballot may be Constitutional, but not for someone who is already in office.