Can Donald Trump contest US Presidential Election if he is convicted? Here is what US Constitution says on this issue

As the final arguments in the hush money trial have been wrapped up and the jury members are soon expected to give their opinions to the Manhattan Court judge, a significant questions is looming large over the US, its judiciary, society and politics. Will Donald Trump be allowed to contest the 2024 US Presidential Election if he is convicted? This question will not only decide the politics of the country, it will also affect the world in a big way and so many people across the globe have kept an eye on it.

Read: India General Election Results Live Updates

Donald Trump denies all charges

Though the former US president has denied all charges, he faces a fine of up to $5,000 and up to four years in prison for each of the 34 felony counts he faces, legal experts have said that he is most unlikely to get jail sentence. So, what will happen if the GOP contender is found guilty, but he is not sent to jail?

What US Constitution says?

According to the 'Metro', the US Constitution has a clear provision that any one can contest presidential election if he is at least 35 years old, a ‘natural born citizen’ and has lived in the US for at least 14 years. It has no restrictions around a criminal record. It means that Donald Trump can contest presidential election even if he is found guilty.

But states have different positions on this issue. Some US states bar people with a felony conviction from pursing state or local office, though there is no such restriction at the federal level.

Can Donald Trump vote?

According to the Florida Division of Elections website, a Florida resident with a felony conviction in another state is ineligible to vote in Florida “if the conviction would make the person ineligible to vote in the state where the person was convicted.” Trump has been a Florida resident since 2019. On the other hand, convicted felons in New York will only lose their voting rights while incarcerated. Keeping this in mind, it cane be said safely that if Trump were convicted in New York and unable to vote there, he would not be able to vote in Florida. But he can vote in New York if he is not sent to jail there.

Besides, if Donald Trump is convicted and sentenced with a jail term, he can appeal the decision and ask for any potential prison sentence to be delayed during appeal.

FAQs:

What is the provision in the US Constitution on issue of contesting presidential election?
The US Constitution has a clear provision that any one can contest presidential election if he is at least 35 years old, a ‘natural born citizen’ and has lived in the US for at least 14 years. It has no restrictions around a criminal record.

Will Donald Trump be eligible to vote?
According to the Florida Division of Elections website, a Florida resident with a felony conviction in another state is ineligible to vote in Florida “if the conviction would make the person ineligible to vote in the state where the person was convicted.”