“Despite Felony Conviction, Ex-President Trump Retains Voting Rights in 2024”
Earlier this year, former US President Donald Trump was found guilty in a court in Manhattan on 34 felony charges related to falsifying business records. However, he retains the right to vote in the 2024 presidential election, a privilege he exercised recently in Palm Beach County alongside his wife, Melania Trump.
The question arises, why can Trump vote even with a felony conviction?
Normally, Florida makes it difficult for felons to vote until they have fully served their sentence. However, Trump’s conviction occurred outside of Florida, affording him an advantage. Florida’s legislation stipulates that individuals convicted in another state are subject to the voting laws of that state – New York, in Trump’s case. Thanks to a 2021 New York law, felons not currently in prison can vote. As Trump was convicted in New York in May, but has not yet been sentenced, he is eligible to vote in Florida.
Sentencing was initially scheduled for September 18; however, Trump’s lawyers requested a delay until after the presidential election to address ongoing legal challenges to his conviction. Justice Juan Merchan approved this delay, setting the new sentencing date for November 26, post-election.
What were the charges against Trump?
Trump was convicted unanimously by a jury in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records connected to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Prosecutors claim that Trump approved a scheme to conceal reimbursements to a lawyer who transferred a $130,000 “hush money” payment to Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. Trump, who pleaded not guilty, denies these allegations.
“A dozen New Yorkers quickly and unanimously found Donald Trump guilty on 34 counts of felony,” remarked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg following Trump’s conviction.
Justice Merchan has a wide range in deciding Trump’s sentence, which could reach up to four years in jail. However, alternatives to incarceration, such as probation, are also an option. Given Trump’s status as a first-time offender and the sentences given for similar crimes in other cases, many legal experts predict Trump might avoid jail time.
Trump has denied all charges in this case and four other criminal cases, two of which are related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Another charge for taking confidential documents from the White House at the end of his term was dismissed. The outcome of these cases could significantly impact whether Trump is re-elected.
Author: Patrick Maguire is a Broadcast Associate for CBS News.
