Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
California Justices Reject Law Requiring Trump Tax Returns
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
November 21, 2019

Share

LOS ANGELES — President Donald Trump does not have to disclose his tax returns to appear as a candidate on California’s primary ballot next spring, a unanimous state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

“This additional requirement … is in conflict with the Constitution’s specification of an inclusive open presidential primary ballot.” — Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye
The court said the law, the first of its kind in the nation and aimed squarely at Trump, was unconstitutional because it required disclosure of tax returns to qualify for the ballot.
“This additional requirement … is in conflict with the Constitution’s specification of an inclusive open presidential primary ballot,” Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye wrote in the 7-0 decision. “Ultimately, it is the voters who must decide whether the refusal of a ‘recognized candidate throughout the nation or throughout California for the office of President of the United States’ to make such information available to the public will have consequences at the ballot box.”
Trump has broken with tradition among presidential candidates by refusing to disclose his financial information.
A U.S. judge had temporarily blocked the state law in response to a different lawsuit. and the high court ruled quickly because the deadline to file tax returns for getting on the primary ballot is next week.
Photo of California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye
FILE – In this March 23, 2015 file photo, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye delivers her State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. California’s Supreme Court rejected a state law that would have required President Donald Trump to disclose his tax returns to appear as a candidate in the state’s primary election next spring. The justices on Thursday said the law that would have required tax returns for all presidential and gubernatorial candidates to appear on the primary ballot was unconstitutional. A federal judge had temporarily blocked the state law in response to a different lawsuit. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

‘Today’s Ruling Is a Victory’

The state Republican Party and chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson challenged the bill signed into law this year by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom because it singled out Trump.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for every California voter. We are pleased that the courts saw through the Democrats’ petty partisan maneuvers and saw this law for what it is — an unconstitutional attempt to suppress Republican voter turnout.” Republican Party and chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson
“Today’s ruling is a victory for every California voter,” Patterson said in a statement. “We are pleased that the courts saw through the Democrats’ petty partisan maneuvers and saw this law for what it is — an unconstitutional attempt to suppress Republican voter turnout.”
The state defended the law, saying release of tax returns was a simple way for voters to weight candidates’ financial status.
“When they passed the SB 27, Democrats proved they never let the Constitution get in the way of wasting taxpayer dollars or trying to silence those who disagree with them,” said Assemblyman Devon Mathis (R-Visalia). “Now that this nonsense is over with, it would be great to see Democrats focus on the actual problems facing Californians.”
The law would have required candidates for president or governor to file copies of personal income tax returns dating back five years. Refusal to do so would keep them off the state’s primary ballot, but not apply to general elections.
Skeptical justices at a hearing earlier this month questioned whether such a law could open the door to future requirements of medical and psychiatric records or school report cards.
Attorney Thomas Hiltachk argued for the state GOP that the law violated a 1972 voter-approved amendment guaranteeing that all recognized candidates must be on the ballot.
Photo of Gov. Gavin Newsom
FILE – This Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, shows California Gov. Gavin Newsom during an interview in his office at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. California’s Supreme Court rejected a state law that would have required President Donald Trump to disclose his tax returns to appear as a candidate in the state’s primary election next spring. The justices on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 said the law that would have required tax returns for all presidential and gubernatorial candidates to appear on the primary ballot was unconstitutional. The state Republican Party challenged the bill signed into law by Newsom because it was aimed at Trump. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Other Courts Have Ordered Trump to Turn Over His Tax Returns

Republicans also said it would lower voter turnout in the primary, hurting Republican legislative and congressional candidates’ chances of reaching the general election.
Trump has cited an ongoing Internal Revenue Service audit in refusing to release his returns.
Other courts have ordered Trump to turn over his tax returns to a Manhattan grand jury and the House of Representatives for separate investigations.
The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing whether to intervene in the demand from a congressional committee or to let a lower appeals court ruling stand that would require disclosure of Trump’s taxes.
Trump has also asked the high court to block a subpoena from a New York prosecutor for his tax returns.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. is seeking the records in an investigation that includes alleged payments to buy the silence of adult film actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy centerfold Karen McDougal, both of whom claim they had affairs with the president before the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied the allegations.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

DON'T MISS

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

DON'T MISS

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

DON'T MISS

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

DON'T MISS

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

DON'T MISS

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

DON'T MISS

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Trip to Saudi Arabia Raises the Prospect of US Nuclear Cooperation With the Kingdom

DON'T MISS

Oh Ohtani! Dodgers Star Hits 3-Run Homer in Late Rally Victory Over Diamondbacks

DON'T MISS

Tariff Talks Begin Between US and Chinese Officials in Geneva

UP NEXT

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

UP NEXT

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

UP NEXT

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

UP NEXT

Summer Movie Guide 2025: Here’s What’s Coming to Theaters and Streaming From May to August

UP NEXT

First At-Home Test Kit for Cervical Cancer Approved by the FDA, Company Says

UP NEXT

Leo XIV’s Service to Poor Propelled Him to Papacy, Cardinals Say

UP NEXT

The State Law Taking a Financial Toll on California Budgets

UP NEXT

‘Luigi Mangione Act’ Seeks to Block Health Insurance Denials, Sparks Outrage Over Name

UP NEXT

Floods Exposed Weaknesses in California Prisons’ Emergency Plans. They Still Aren’t Ready

UP NEXT

Other States Are Showing California How to Protect Its Budget Without Cutting Needed Services

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

1 hour ago

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

1 hour ago

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

1 hour ago

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

2 hours ago

Trump’s Trip to Saudi Arabia Raises the Prospect of US Nuclear Cooperation With the Kingdom

2 hours ago

Oh Ohtani! Dodgers Star Hits 3-Run Homer in Late Rally Victory Over Diamondbacks

2 hours ago

Tariff Talks Begin Between US and Chinese Officials in Geneva

2 hours ago

Summer Movie Guide 2025: Here’s What’s Coming to Theaters and Streaming From May to August

3 hours ago

Give Mom the Gift of a Kitchen-Free Mother’s Day

4 hours ago

Got An Idea for a Valley Documentary? CMAC’s Big Tell Contest Seeks Applicants

5 hours ago

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

The Clovis Police Department has released more information about two suspects arrested in connection with the killing of 18-year-old Caleb Q...

55 minutes ago

https://www.communitymedical.org/thecause?utm_source=Misfit+Digital&utm_medium=GVWire+Banner+Ads&utm_campaign=Branding+2025&utm_content=thecause
The Clovis Police Department identified two suspects they have arrested in connection with the murder of Caleb Quick, 18, at a Saturday, May 10, 2025, news conference. (GV Wire Composite)
55 minutes ago

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

55 minutes ago

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

1 hour ago

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

1 hour ago

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

1 hour ago

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

1 hour ago

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

2 hours ago

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

2 hours ago

Trump’s Trip to Saudi Arabia Raises the Prospect of US Nuclear Cooperation With the Kingdom

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend