When it comes to 2024 election, people are wondering if President Trump will be allowed to vote now that he’s a ‘convicted felon’.
Probably not.
He’s out of luck.
Too bad, Trump!
But wait a minute.
There seems to be a twist here.
If someone lives in Florida with a felony conviction from another state, you can still vote in Florida.
Well, as long as the conviction didn’t make you ineligible to vote in the state where the conviction occurred.
Turns out, Trump’s been living in Florida since 2019, so that’s something to consider.
DeSantis posted on X:
Former President Donald Trump hasn’t lost his voting rights in Florida. Rights are not removed in Florida where they haven’t yet been stripped in the convicting jurisdiction.
That said, given the absurd nature of the New York prosecution of Trump, this would be an easy case to qualify for restoration of rights per the Florida Clemency Board, which I chair.
The bottom line is that Donald Trump’s vote this November will be one of millions that demonstrate Florida is now a solid Republican state!
Former President Donald Trump hasn't lost his voting rights in Florida. Rights are not removed in Florida where they haven't yet been stripped in the convicting jurisdiction.
That said, given the absurd nature of the New York prosecution of Trump, this would be an easy case to…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 1, 2024
Forbes reports:
A jury is deliberating whether Donald Trump will become a convicted felon, prompting questions around what rights the former president would—and would not have—if he is convicted of falsifying business records in New York.
A Florida resident with a felony conviction in another state is only ineligible to vote in Florida “if the conviction would make the person ineligible to vote in the state where the person was convicted,” according to the Florida Division of Elections website—Trump has been a Florida resident since 2019.
So, if Trump were convicted in New York and unable to vote there, he would not be able to vote in Florida, but in New York, convicted felons only lose their voting rights while incarcerated, meaning—even if convicted—Trump would be able to vote as long as he doesn’t go to jail.
Trump faces a fine of up to $5,000 and up to four years in prison for each of the 34 felony counts he faces, but legal experts have generally said it’s unlikely he is sentenced to jail time—at least in part because of the “ripple effect” having a former president in jail would create.
Blair Bowie, an attorney at the Campaign Legal Center, told NBC News the only way Trump “wouldn’t be able to vote is if he is in prison on Election Day,” citing New York’s felon voting protocols.
If convicted, Trump could also appeal the case and ask for any potential prison sentence to be delayed during appeal, which could be a way of ensuring he could vote even if he faces jail time.
A conviction also wouldn’t prevent Trump from running for president as the only requirements, per the Constitution, are for presidential candidates to be at least 35 years old and natural-born citizens who have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
Trump could lose his right to own a firearm if convicted, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which says the federal Gun Control Act makes it unlawful for someone “convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year” to possess firearms or ammunition.
Florida law prevents felons convicted in any state from serving on a jury until their civil rights are restored following completion of sentence and payment of all restitution or fees, meaning Trump would lose that right, at least temporarily.
RedState adds:
While the left and its media acolytes have been busy squeeing the past 24 hours over the fact that former President Donald Trump is a “CONVICTED FELON!!1!!1!” (technically not true until the judge actually enters the judgment of conviction, but that will come shortly, no doubt), many have been speculating as to what that means in practical terms for the former president.
Sentencing is now set for July 11 (four days before the start of the Republican National Convention), but setting aside the guesses as to what Judge Juan Merchan will do at that point, the conviction could impact some of Trump’s rights, such as the right to carry a firearm (not really an issue for a Secret Service protectee) and the right to vote. Good gracious…does that mean the former (and possibly future) president won’t even be able to vote for himself in November?!
One way or another, Trump will get to cast his vote.
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!