Lawmakers in several states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are looking at laws that would require presidential candidates to release their tax returns to be listed on their state’s ballot.
Last week New Jersey legislators advanced a bill, instigated by President Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns, that would deny ballot access to those who don’t make their tax records public. If approved, the bill would take effect for the 2020 election.
The bill remains a long shot in New Jersey as long as Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican and Trump ally, is in office. It’s also doubtful the Pennsylvania Legislature would adopt such a provision while it is controlled by Republican majorities. Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia are entertaining similar bills.
The public appears solidly behind the idea that presidential candidates release their tax records, a tradition that had been followed by major-party candidates for more than 40 years. An ABC News/Washington Post poll in January found that 74 percent of Americans believe Trump should release his tax returns.
What do you think? Should states require this? Is it in the public interest, or just a Democratic reaction to Trump’s victory? Have a say in our informal poll, and feel free to join the conversation.
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