The looming question of whether Donald Trump will be allowed to contest the 2024 US Presidential Election if he is convicted in the hush money trial has sparked a debate across the country. As the final arguments have been wrapped up and the jury members are expected to give their opinions soon, the fate of the former US president hangs in the balance.
Despite denying all charges, Trump faces the possibility of 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 believe that he is unlikely to receive a jail sentence. However, if he is found guilty but not sent to jail, the question arises whether he will be eligible to run for president.
The US Constitution does not have any restrictions around a criminal record for presidential candidates. As long as a candidate is at least 35 years old, a ‘natural born citizen’, and has lived in the US for at least 14 years, they are eligible to contest the election. However, some states have their own restrictions on felons running for state or local office.
In terms of voting rights, Trump’s eligibility to vote may vary depending on the state. In Florida, a resident with a felony conviction in another state may be ineligible to vote if the conviction would make them ineligible to vote in the state where they were convicted. If Trump is convicted in New York and unable to vote there, he may also lose his voting rights in Florida.
As the world watches closely, the outcome of the trial and its implications on Trump’s political future will have far-reaching consequences for the US and beyond.
