Is it true that convicted felons lose their right to vote? Are there any states where they can still vote? And what about Trump—if he’s convicted, is he allowed to vote in this election? If so, how does that work? Thanks in advance.
It depends on the state. In Florida, if you’re convicted in a state where voting rights are allowed, you can still vote. New York is one of those states, so Trump can vote.
tee said:
It depends on the state. In Florida, if you’re convicted in a state where voting rights are allowed, you can still vote. New York is one of those states, so Trump can vote.
Thanks for the info.
tee said:
It depends on the state. In Florida, if you’re convicted in a state where voting rights are allowed, you can still vote. New York is one of those states, so Trump can vote.
Yeah, some states only take away the right to vote while you’re in prison.
Each state has its own rules. In some states, you do lose the right to vote, but there are ways to get it back later. For Trump, he was convicted in New York, where felons can still vote. In Florida, where he lives, he’s allowed to vote because New York allows it.
@Noah
Thank you!
It’s different depending on the state.
Adair said:
It’s different depending on the state.
Got it, thanks.
To add to what others have said, some states differ on when the right to vote is lost:
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Right after a guilty verdict
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After sentencing
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Once the conviction is final and all appeals are done
Whether this happens, for which felonies, how long it lasts, and if it starts at conviction or sentencing, varies by state.
He hasn’t been sentenced yet, so technically he’s not fully ‘convicted’ until sentencing is done.
Hart said:
He hasn’t been sentenced yet, so technically he’s not fully ‘convicted’ until sentencing is done.
He’s a convicted felon in New York, but in federal courts and some states, it might not be considered final until sentencing.
The Constitution says that felons in prison can’t vote, not that a conviction takes away the right.
Gael said:
The Constitution says that felons in prison can’t vote, not that a conviction takes away the right.
That’s not true. It’s pretty easy to check that the Constitution doesn’t say that.
Gael said:
The Constitution says that felons in prison can’t vote, not that a conviction takes away the right.
The Constitution actually doesn’t say much about voting, even with all the amendments we have now. Voting rules are mostly state laws. Only two states let you vote while in prison, and only three permanently ban felons from voting.