Here’s why Trump can vote as a felon

Topline

Former President Donald Trump cast his vote Tuesday morning in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is allowed to vote as a resident despite being convicted of 34 felonies in New York earlier this year.

Important facts

Surprising fact

According to the Florida Division of Elections, Florida law prohibits felons convicted in Florida from voting in elections unless their right to vote has been restored by the State Clemency Board.

News Peg

Trump cast his vote Tuesday morning alongside his wife, Melania, and both answered questions from reporters after he cast his vote. Trump told reporters he was “very confident” he would win and expected “it won’t even be close.” He said he believed this was his last campaign, which left him feeling “sad and very fulfilled.” He said he doesn’t yet know what will happen with the declaration of victory – something Vice President Kamala Harris expects him to do too early in the campaign – and said those who think he wouldn’t concede the election if he loses are “Crazy,” he said. The election has been fair so far.

Important background

Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records, making him the first former or sitting president to be convicted on criminal charges. The jury found Trump guilty on all counts against him. The week-long trial centered on a hush money payment Trump made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence during his 2016 campaign. Daniels says she had sex with Trump while he was married in 2006. Trump called the conviction a “disgrace” and said the trial was “rigged” after he was found guilty.

Further reading

2024 Election Live Updates: Trump Votes in Florida (Live Updates) (Forbes)