Will Trump Be Able to Vote in 2024? The Former President’s Legal Troubles May Complicate His Voting Rights

2024-05-30

Trump’s Voting Rights in Jeopardy

As a convicted felon in New York and now a resident of Florida, Donald Trump’s ability to cast a ballot in the upcoming 2024 election is uncertain. It all hinges on the sentence imposed by the judge in his hush money case and whether he can complete it before the election.

Florida, like most states, restricts the voting rights of individuals with felony convictions. However, the state does restore voting rights for most convicted felons after they have completed all aspects of their sentence. There are some exceptions, such as for those convicted of murder or sex crimes, who are permanently barred from voting in Florida.

In Trump’s case, the timeline is tight. It may be weeks before he is sentenced, and his expected appeal could further delay the process, jeopardizing his ability to fulfill any sentence before the polls open in November 2024. The judge could impose up to four years in prison, though shorter sentences or probation are more common for first-time, non-violent offenders.

Regardless of the specific sentence, Trump would need to complete all components, including any fines or community service, before his voting rights would be restored in Florida. “If he doesn’t pay that fine, then he can’t vote until that fine is paid,” explains Alex Saiz, legal director of the Florida Justice Center.

Saiz notes that Florida is likely to recognize the felonies Trump has been convicted of in New York, as the state treats out-of-state felonies as if they occurred within Florida’s borders. However, any fines related to the judge’s gag order would not impact his voting rights, as those are separate from the criminal sentence.

The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s legal troubles and their impact on his voting eligibility in 2024 is yet another complication in the former president’s political future. As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s path to the ballot box remains unclear.

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After criminal conviction, Trump may not be able to vote in November – POLITICO