November 25, 2019

Anna Murray 

Earlier in July, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, had signed the bill into law by mandating presidential candidates to turn in tax returns as a simple means for voters to evaluate candidates’ financial status. According to the state law, US President Donald Trump is obligated to release his tax returns in order to be legitimate on California’s primary ballot.

Thus, the state Republican Party and Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson had challenged the bill to the California Supreme Court. On November 21, 7 judges on the California Supreme Court in Sacramento ruled unanimously that such a state law was unconstitutional. The California Supreme Court rejected the state law to require any candidate for president or governor to submit 5 years’ personal income tax returns to be eligible for appearing on primary ballots.

California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye explained the state legislature may have the authority in defining the specifications of running presidential primaries in California. However, this disputed state law could not be enforced and is beyond California's authority.

The ruling by the California Supreme Court is a victory for President Trump. Representing President Trump, Attorney Jay Sekulow welcomed the Court decision and complained of California trying to shred the US Constitution after the ruling in favor of the President. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla had appealed the federal judge’s ruling in a legal dispute that remains lingering.

Photo:Webshot.