Following the recent conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records by a New York jury, questions have arisen regarding the possibility of a convicted felon running for president in the United States.
The US Constitution outlines three main requirements for presidential candidates: being a natural born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a US resident for at least 14 years. Trump meets all these criteria. Additionally, the 14th Amendment includes a provision stating that individuals who have engaged in insurrection after taking an oath of office cannot hold US officer positions. However, the US Supreme Court ruled that a special law from Congress would be needed to enforce this prohibition.
Regarding Trump's voting rights, the regulations vary by state. As a Florida resident, Trump may be able to vote since Florida voters supported a referendum in 2018 to reenfranchise convicted felons. Similarly, New York passed a law in 2021 allowing non-incarcerated convicted felons to register to vote.
Even if Trump were to face prison time, it is unlikely that his right to appeal the conviction would be exhausted before Election Day. In the event of a conviction in one of the federal criminal cases against him prior to the election, the situation could change.
