A US judge on October 1 temporarily blocked a California law aimed at forcing President Donald Trump to release his personal income tax returns in order to appear on 2020 primary ballot. US District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. issued a written opinion saying law likely violates US Constitution. He h anunced last month he planned to block law. law requires candidates for president or goverr to file copies of ir personal income tax returns dating back five years with California secretary of state’s office. If y refuse, y could t appear on state’s primary ballot. law would t have applied to general elections. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said he signed law because California has a “special responsibility” to hold candidates to high ethical standards.

Trump campaign sued, arguing law seeks to d ar qualification for running for president, something state governments don’t have authority to do. deline to file tax returns for California’s March 3 presidential primary would be vember 26.

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Judge's ruling

In his 24-p ruling, Morrison wrote state’s concerns are “both legitimate and understandable,” highlighting that candidates have offered “unnecessary and irrelevant excuses for shielding public from such information. It is t job of courts, however, to decide wher a tax return disclosure requirement is a good policy or makes political sense. Inste, it is court’s job to make sure Constitution wins.”

Morrison was appointed by former Republican President George W. Bush. He said law violates Trump’s First Amendment right of associating with voters who share his political beliefs. He also ted California Legislature is controlled by Democrats. y passed a law targeting a Republican president.

“ dangerous precedent set by this act, allowing controlling party in any state’s legislature to d substantive requirements as a precondition to qualifying for state’s presidential primary ballot, should concern all candidates alike,” he wrote.

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Mixed responses to ruling

In response to recent ruling, California Secretary of State Alex Pilla said he will appeal ruling, asserting “this law is fundamental to preserving and protecting American democracy.” California Republican Party chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson called ruling a victory for voters and ir ability to vote for candidate of ir choice. “This decision rightfully stops Democrats’ petty politics and ir efforts to disenfranchise millions of California voters and suppress Republican voter turut,” Patterson said in a news release. Democratic Sen. Mike McGuire, author of law, said “ judge got it wrong. Some of brightest constitutional minds in nation have been very clear that this law will withstand a constitutional test".

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