# Blue states propose measures to keep Trump off of 2020 ballots (unless he releases tax returns) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 4, 2019, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485 "2019-05-04T23:15:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/121 "2019-05-07T19:42:15Z")
This here: > [@bobot](#): > > … I will state a simple, reasonable reason for congress to see his tax returns. Michael Cohen testified in response to questioning by AOC that there was information in Trump’s financial records that will speak to illegal real estate practices. That’s all the justification they should need, it is that simple. … ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/122 "2019-05-07T20:10:05Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > By any reasonable definition, 60 years is a norm. Particularly when that norm began with the president declaring that it was to prove to America that he was “not a crook”, and it turned out that he was a crook. > > Plus, the voters voted for Trump under the assumption that he would follow the norm because he promised to release his taxes. 40 years. The voters who voted for Trump don’t give a fuck about his taxes. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/123 "2019-05-07T20:35:08Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The part that isn’t clear is why, if Trump’s crimes are so screamingly obvious from what we know already, why the Dems need to see his tax returns. They claim they already have enough to make their case - but they want to investigate some more to find out what they think they can already prove. . You already know the answer, but “Screamingly obvious” is not sufficient for the new Republican Party and without some people in that party putting country first “screamingly obvious” will not be enough evidence to take action. Their standard will be “so undeniably obvious, to even my constituents, that my personal political future is in jeopardy” and this standard requires more evidence. This evidence is certainly in existence, hence the obstruction (for whichever there is also screamingly obvious evidence). ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/124 "2019-05-07T23:20:59Z")
Might be a moot point. Some of his [tax info leaked](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/07/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage). TLDR is that he lost a lot of money. I guess, he can brag that he lost more money than any other individual taxpayer? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/125 "2019-05-07T23:22:14Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Might be a moot point. Some of his[tax info leaked](year after year, Mr. Trump appears to have lost more money than nearly any other individual American taxpayer). TLDR is that he lost a lot of money. I guess, he can brag that he lost more money than any other individual taxpayer? Your link is broken. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/126 "2019-05-07T23:24:16Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Your link is broken. Thanks. Fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2019, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/127 "2019-05-07T23:31:59Z")
Huh, I was about to fix that link, but I can’t see anything wrong with it. It looks like it _should_ work. EDIT: Ah, I guess I was seeing the version that was already fixed. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/128 "2019-05-08T00:48:30Z")
Prediction: _this won’t cost him vote one._ Nor would have the content of his tax returns if he had just turned them over. But what \*would \*have been a source of stress would have been the notion that he has to do something contrary to his interest _without there being any actual law requiring it and any actual authority that can force him to_. That would have been perceived as showing weakness. The whole thing with the release of the tax returns post-Nixon was basically a “have you got something to hide” signal that every candidate “had” to make because otherwise it would look bad. But it was never an actual _law_ because the whole point was premised someone who acted like they had something to hide would not even be in contention. Which even before Trump, was a weak safeguard to count upon. ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/129 "2019-05-08T12:42:22Z")
You want to run an election where some states would forbid people from voting for Trump? You could not give him a better excuse on a silver platter, to declare such an election null and void, and disregard the results. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/130 "2019-05-08T12:45:24Z")
> [@MarvinKitFox](#): > > You want to run an election where some states would forbid people from voting for Trump? I certainly don’t. I’m fine with forcing him to release his tax returns, but I have no interest in keeping him off the ballot. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/131 "2019-05-08T13:43:54Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I certainly don’t. I’m fine with forcing him to release his tax returns, but I have no interest in keeping him off the ballot. So do it the right way: get a Constitutional amendment ratified. This gimmicky state law business where you threaten to keep him off the ballot is the wrong way to go about this. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/132 "2019-05-08T14:16:44Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > So do it the right way: get a Constitutional amendment ratified. This gimmicky state law business where you threaten to keep him off the ballot is the wrong way to go about this. Or, do it the Republican way: get control of the White House and Senate and cram a bunch of unqualified judges down the Nation’s throat who will do what party leaders tell them to do. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/133 "2019-05-08T15:00:32Z")
What kind of unfair hardship is imposed by requiring tax returns from our most important elected position? ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/134 "2019-05-08T18:47:47Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > This is a bad idea. What we learned from the Birthers is that it’s up to the votes to decide whether non-constitutional qualifications are significant. If Trump doesn’t want to release his tax returns, people don’t have to vote for him. If they want to regardless, they’re stupid but it’s their right. Not that they’re stupid but may have voted for a candidate not knowing all the facts. How many people voted for him because they were convinced “he’s a smart guy because he’s a millionaire business man”? What if his tax returns showed he was a business buffoon and was one step ahead of being in the poor house? Would those same people vote for him then? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/135 "2019-05-08T19:29:07Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Not that they’re stupid but may have voted for a candidate not knowing all the facts. How many people voted for him because they were convinced “he’s a smart guy because he’s a millionaire business man”? What if his tax returns showed he was a business buffoon and was one step ahead of being in the poor house? Would those same people vote for him then? If people believe Trump is smart after listening to him speak, you think his tax returns are going to make a whit of difference? ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/136 "2019-05-08T19:56:14Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > So do it the right way: get a Constitutional amendment ratified. This gimmicky state law business where you threaten to keep him off the ballot is the wrong way to go about this. I’ll agree to this and work tirelessly in regards to tax returns, if you can convince Republicans to do the same with abortion. Deal? ETA: Roe v Wade is actually an even longer-standing precedent. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/137 "2019-05-08T21:41:58Z")
Were there Republicans trying to keep a candidate off the ballot because he or she supports abortion? Or are you just talking about a litmus test for a candidate? Because both sides have plenty of those. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/138 "2019-05-08T21:53:19Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > I’ll agree to this and work tirelessly in regards to tax returns, if you can convince Republicans to do the same with abortion. Deal? > > ETA: Roe v Wade is actually an even longer-standing precedent. No deal. This got brought up in another thread, and here was my response: > [@Georgia governor signs strictest abortion bill in nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/georgia-governor-signs-strictest-abortion-bill-in-nation/833659/52): > > The Constitution _does_ have a section detailing requirements to run for President. It does _not_ have a section detailing requirements for abortions. Do you see the difference now? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/140 "2019-05-09T10:46:45Z")
[Every candidate other than Trump in the last 40 years](https://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2016/sep/28/tammy-baldwin/donald-trump-only-major-party-nominee-40-years-not/) has released tax returns, except for Ford who released summaries. This is not a partisan measure, it’s an _anti-corruption_ measure. Are you telling us corruption is a Republican thing? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485/141 "2019-05-09T13:14:48Z")
So states don’t require a candidate to be an NBC to be on the ballot even though it’s a requirement to be President but they’ll require them (possibly in violation of Federal Law) to show their tax return. That makes sense. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-states-propose-measures-to-keep-trump-off-of-2020-ballots-unless-he-releases-tax-returns/833485.md?page=8)