Can Donald Trump run for president, vote in election as a convicted felon?
Donald Trump was convicted of felonies Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
However, his conviction doesn’t bar him from another presidential run. Furthermore, can Trump vote for himself? Let’s dive in.
The U.S. Constitution has three qualifications for being president:
- Candidate must be a “natural born” citizen
- Candidate must be at least 35 years old
- Candidate must be a resident of U.S. for at least 14 years.
There is no requirement that the president not be a convicted felon.
As CNN points out, the 14th Amendment states no one who has previously taken an oath of office who engages in insurrection can be an officer of the US. But, per the report, the US Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that Congress would have to pass a special law invoking this prohibition.
As far as Trump being able to vote for himself, it depends on the state in which you reside. Trump is registered in Florida, which gives felons the right to vote if the state where they were convicted allows it. New York only removes a felon’s right to vote while they are imprisoned. Trump may not receive jail time, let alone before the election, meaning he will likely be eligible to vote.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.