The recent conviction of former President Donald Trump on multiple felony counts related to his business records has sparked discussions about the implications for voting rights in Florida, where Trump now resides. Despite losing the right to vote due to his status as a convicted felon, Governor Ron DeSantis has stated that he will ensure Trump can cast a vote in his home state.
On Thursday, a jury found President Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in order to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump and his attorneys have vowed to appeal the decision, with some legal experts, such as former Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, believing that the appeal could be successful. However, Trump’s current status as a convicted felon has raised questions about his ability to vote in Florida, where he maintains his primary residence since 2019.
Under Florida law, individuals with felony convictions are not permitted to cast ballots unless they have fully completed their sentences, including any probation or parole. In New York, where Trump was convicted, he remains eligible to vote because he is not currently serving his sentence.
The Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan organization, supports the view that Trump has not lost the ability to cast a legal vote in Florida, although it acknowledges the lack of clarity on this issue contributes to a loss of confidence in the state’s voting system. The group has urged Governor DeSantis to “quickly pass laws so that former President Donald Trump and the millions of other Floridians with a felony conviction can have clarity on their ability to vote and restore full faith in the electoral process.
In response, Governor DeSantis expressed his intent to ensure that Trump’s right to vote is protected despite his felony conviction. He suggested that the Florida Clemency Board, which he chairs, could potentially clear a path for Trump to cast a vote by granting clemency or restoring his voting rights.
Given the absurd nature of the New York prosecution of Trump,” Mr. DeSantis wrote in a statement, “this would be an easy case to qualify for restoration of rights per the Florida Clemency Board.” He further emphasized his support for the former president by stating that “the bottom line is that Donald Trump’s vote this November will be one of millions that demonstrate Florida is now a solid Republican state.
Despite their previous rivalry in the GOP primary race, Governor DeSantis has since endorsed Trump and has even been considered as a potential running mate for the former president.