Former President Trump will not lose his right to vote in Florida, where he lives, despite his felony conviction in New York, thanks to his former 2024 rival.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who made an unsuccessful bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said Friday that Trump has not lost his right to vote in Florida and will not do so as long as DeSantis chairs the Florida Clemency Board.
“Former President Donald Trump did not lose his right to vote in Florida. Rights are not revoked in Florida, where they have not yet been taken away in the sentencing jurisdiction,” DeSantis said on X.
“That said, given the absurd nature of Trump's prosecution in New York, this would be an easy case to qualify for restoration of rights under the Florida Clemency Board, of which I chair,” he continued.
RFK JR. WARNS TRUMP'S CONVICTION WILL HAVE A BAD EFFECT ON DEMOCRATS AND IS 'BAD FOR OUR DEMOCRACY'
FILE – U.S. President Donald Trump introduces Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a homecoming campaign rally at the BB&T Center on November 26, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. President Trump continues to campaign for re-election in the 2020 presidential race. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“The bottom line is that Donald Trump's vote in November will be one of millions showing that Florida is now a solidly Republican state!”
Trump was convicted Thursday on 34 charges of falsifying business records in what prosecutors called a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through payments to silence porn star Stormy Daniels about their alleged 2006 sexual encounter. president maintains his innocence.
It is common in most states for convicted felons to lose their right to vote, sometimes permanently. In New York, felons lose the right to vote while in prison, but those rights are automatically restored upon release, even if on parole, under a 2021 law passed by the Democratic-majority state legislature .
A lifelong New Yorker, Trump established residence in Florida in 2019 while in the White House.
STORIES FROM THE TRAIL: TRUMP 'RELATED' WITH CRIMINAL TRIAL OVER
Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower on Thursday, May 30, 2024, after being found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. (Felipe Ramales for Fox News Digital)
Florida state law violates other states' disenfranchisement rules for residents convicted of out-of-state crimes. As long as Trump is not sent to prison, he will retain his right to vote in Florida without the need for action from DeSantis or the clemency board.
Trump is scheduled to appear for a sentencing hearing on July 11. DeSantis' promise ensures that Trump will be able to vote in Florida in the November election, regardless of the punishment.
TRUMP CHANGES SENTENCE TO CASH, PLACES RECORD FUNDRAISING TO GUILTY VERDICT
Former President Donald Trump speaks with members of the media at Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, May 30, 2024, in New York. Trump maintains his innocence after his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying company records. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Trump's conviction and even prison sentence would not prevent him from running for president. Four days after Trump is convicted, the Republican National Convention will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The RNC adopted rules last year that do not include specific provisions if the presumptive Republican Party nominee is convicted of a crime.
Delegates can change the rules before Trump is formally nominated, but there appears to be little support for nominating another candidate. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said Trump's sentence was “delivered by a partisan and biased judge” and claimed Democrats have “weaponized” the justice system to attack Trump.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“The real verdict will come on November 5, when Americans vote for a president they trust to lower prices, secure the southern border, restore American leadership around the world and make America great again,” he said. Whatley said in a statement after the jury found Trump guilty on all counts.
Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, is co-chair of the RNC.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
