Here are the restrictions Trump faces as a felon
By
Ross O'Keefe
May 31, 2024 2:34 pm
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Former President Donald Trump could find himself facing more restrictions on his life than he has ever had to handle.
The historic conviction of 34 felony counts on Thursday was met with reactions varying from despair from some in the Republican Party to glee from Democrats.
Trump reacted angrily, declaring, “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5.”
He could have reason to be angry. Trump’s conviction labels him as a felon unless he can get the ruling overturned in the appeals process.
That enables Florida to ban Trump from doing a variety of activities that citizens who aren’t felons could take for granted. Here are the ones we know.
Right to voteTrump may or may not be allowed to vote for himself this November, as Florida law “deprives convicted felons of certain civil rights,” including the right to vote. It is common practice for political candidates to be seen at polling stations voting for themselves.
Trump may apply to restore his right to vote after the “final expiration of an offender’s supervision.” The Florida Parole Commission would review his application.
A 2018 ballot amendment allows felons to vote once they finish their sentences, though Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and other Florida Republicans added a stipulation that they must also pay their fines related to crimes.
One complicating factor for Trump is that he was convicted of his crimes in New York.
“A felony conviction in another state makes a person ineligible to vote in Florida only 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.
In New York, felons are only banned from voting while they are incarcerated, and Trump is unlikely to be, possibly allowing him to vote in Florida still.
However, Ben Stechschulte told the Washington Examiner the question of whether Trump will be allowed to vote might not be as cut and dry as the Florida Division of Elections suggests.
“You can’t vote in Florida unless you’ve received a pardon or you’ve gotten some form of restoration of your rights, generally speaking,” Stechschulte said. “It doesn’t change if your felony conviction is in another state.”
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/3024082/here-are-restrictions-trump-faces-as-felon/
