The Briefing Room
General Category => Politics/Government => Topic started by: mystery-ak on March 17, 2019, 02:56:18 pm
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March 17, 2019
Washington state will keep Trump off the ballot unless he releases tax returns
By Rick Moran
The Washington state Senate has passed a bill that would require candidates to release 5 years of tax returns before appearing on a primary or general election ballot.
The law is aimed at Donald Trump who, so far, has declined to release any of his tax returns, despite every presidential candidate in the last 40 years who have done so.
Democrats in Congress have made it clear that they will find a way to get Trump to release his taxes. But the reality is that no one can force an individual to release their tax returns.
The Hill:
"The disclosure requirement you propose is likely Constitutional," the two wrote to lawmakers, according to CBS, adding that the measure "would definitely be challenged in court."
Democrats who supported the bill said the provision was necessary to force a return to norms surrounding the release of presidential candidates' tax returns.
"Although releasing tax returns has been the norm for about the last 40 years in presidential elections, unfortunately we've seen that norm broken," said Sen. Patty Kuderer (D), who sponsored the bill, according to CBS.
Republicans, however, argued that the state was getting into questionable territory by attempting to impose rules on a federal election.
"We're on really risky ground when we're trying to place conditions on a federal election," said Sen. Hans Zeiger (R), according to CBS.
Trump caused controversy throughout the 2016 campaign with his refusal to release his tax returns, claiming at the time to be under audit by the IRS. In recent weeks, Democrats in the House have indicated that they may pursue Trump's returns in the hopes of investigating the president's finances for criminal activity.
A similar bill recently advanced in New Jersey's state Senate and is currently sitting in the state's General Assembly.
more
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/03/washington_state_will_keep_trump_off_the_ballot_unless_he_releases_tax_returns.html (https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/03/washington_state_will_keep_trump_off_the_ballot_unless_he_releases_tax_returns.html)
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It has to be unconstitutional.
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It has to be unconstitutional.
It looks voluntary to me. President Trump does not have to release his taxes...unless he wants to be on the ballot.
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It looks voluntary to me. President Trump does not have to release his taxes...unless he wants to be on the ballot.
It is Constitutional:
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution, ballot access laws are established and enforced by the states.
Text of Article 1, Section 4:
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
https://constitutionallawreporter.com/article-01-section-04/
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The State of Washington has voted DEM since 1988. WA has 12 electoral votes. So, not really going to matter. However, if most of the blue states decide to do the same, it very well could force Trump to release his tax returns unless Congress steps in. I'd say the DEMS have found a way to force him to release his tax returns.
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It's unconstitutional:
1. Article II of the Constitution provides the criteria for presidential candidates. It would take a constitutional amendment to modify that criteria on a federal level.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3-reasons-its-unconstitutional-to-require-presidential-candidates-to-release-their-tax-returns (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3-reasons-its-unconstitutional-to-require-presidential-candidates-to-release-their-tax-returns)
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articleii (https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articleii)
Maybe we'll find out if it goes to Court but it may well not make it that far.
Currently, the criteria for a presidential candidate, per the Constitution, is that the candidate must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, a resident for 14 years, and 35 years of age or older. That’s it. Congress can’t add to the constitutional criteria through federal legislation.
So, a state can make their own criteria? Maybe Washington State can legislate allowing 12 year olds to run.
So, a state can make their own criteria? Maybe Washington State can legislate allowing 12 year olds to run. Or they can't be on the ballot for a myriad of reasons. Does one honestly think, a state could make a law that someone could only be on the ballot if they served in the military for example?
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I agree with TomSea.
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So release them. 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973...
I didn't see anything about the Last 5 years....
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Does anybody think Trump would get any Electoral College votes in Washington State?
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Does anybody think Trump would get any Electoral College votes in Washington State?
No. So no problem.
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Trump may not win Washington in 2020, but he will challenge such nonsense, and it will get shot down as being unconstitutional.
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Trump may not win Washington in 2020, but he will challenge such nonsense, and it will get shot down as being unconstitutional.
Thanx Rudy.