Is Trump still on Illinois ballot? What to know after judge rules to remove his name

A Cook County judge on Wednesday ordered former President Donald Trump’s name off Illinois’ primary ballot. But early voting for the March 19 primary election is already underway.

So what does the judge’s ruling mean?

Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter originally put her ruling on hold until Friday, expecting Trump’s lawyers to appeal. They did so hours after the decision was handed down.

In response — and at the request of Trump’s lawyers — Porter then clarified that her ruling would remain on hold until the issue is fully resolved by higher courts. She has also said that her ruling would remain on hold if the U.S. Supreme Court hands down a ruling “inconsistent” with hers in a case dealing with a similar decision in Colorado.

So for now, nothing has changed at the ballot box. If Porter’s ruling does go into effect, she ordered that “any votes cast” for Trump “be suppressed” through administrative procedures.

Porter acknowledged her ruling likely won’t be the final word on the matter. What happens next will depend on the First District Appellate Court, the Illinois Supreme Court or even the U.S. Supreme Court.

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule on the Colorado question soon — and appeared skeptical of the arguments to kick Trump off Colorado’s ballot. The clock is ticking on the nation’s high court given that Colorado’s primary election is Tuesday.

Attorneys challenging Trump’s candidacy in Illinois have insisted the U.S. Supreme Court ruling will not completely resolve their case, though. Rather, they say the Illinois case also involves matters of state law and will eventually reach the Illinois Supreme Court.