Despite being the first former US president convicted of felony crimes, Donald Trump will have no trouble casting his vote in today’s election. His legal situation, while significant, does not prevent him from voting, thanks to Florida’s specific regulations regarding the restoration of voting rights.
Trump’s Legal History and Voting Rights
Earlier this year, in May, Donald Trump made history by becoming the first ex-president to be convicted of felony crimes. A New York jury found him guilty on all 34 charges related to falsifying business documents in connection with a hush-money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The conviction stems from attempts to suppress Daniels’ story of an alleged affair with Trump during the 2016 campaign. Trump is due for sentencing on November 26.
However, the felony conviction does not impede his ability to vote. According to Florida law, individuals convicted outside the state are governed by the laws of the state where they were convicted regarding the restoration of voting rights. In Trump’s case, New York’s 2021 statute permits voters with felony records to cast their ballots, as long as they are not incarcerated. Since Trump is not in prison, he remains eligible to vote.
Florida’s Laws on Felony Convictions and Voting Rights
For other Florida residents with felony convictions, the process is less straightforward. In 2018, Florida voters approved a ballot proposal that restored voting rights to individuals who had completed their sentences. However, Republican lawmakers later passed a law that required people with felony convictions to pay all outstanding fines and fees before their rights could be restored. This requirement has been challenging to navigate due to the absence of a centralized system to track unpaid fees.
While Trump’s conviction does not prevent him from voting, many Floridians with felony records face barriers in reclaiming their right to vote due to these legal complications.
Trump’s Resilience in the Face of Legal Challenges
Despite the conviction, Trump remains undeterred in his pursuit of the presidency. In earlier times, a criminal conviction would have ended a political career, but Trump’s journey has been marked by perseverance. Even with two impeachments, allegations of sexual abuse, investigations into Russian interference, election tampering, and the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, where he made derogatory remarks about women, Trump has continued to be a dominant figure in American politics.
With these obstacles behind him, Trump is once again on the campaign trail, focusing on securing a return to the White House despite his criminal conviction and ongoing legal challenges.
