Why Donald Trump can vote in the 2024 election even after his felony conviction

Trump's Voting Rights and the 14th Amendment

In the wake of the January 6th Capitol riot, Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for "incitement of insurrection." He was subsequently acquitted by the Senate, but the impeachment proceedings raised questions about whether Trump could be barred from holding office again.

Under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, any person who has "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the United States is disqualified from holding any office, federal or state.

However, the 14th Amendment also includes a provision that allows Congress to remove this disqualification with a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate.

Trump's Felony Conviction and Voting Rights

In addition to the impeachment proceedings, Trump was also convicted of a felony in the state of New York for inciting a riot. This conviction could potentially bar him from voting in the 2024 election.

Under New York law, anyone convicted of a felony is ineligible to vote unless they have been pardoned or their sentence has been commuted.

However, it is important to note that Trump's felony conviction is still under appeal. If his conviction is overturned on appeal, he will be eligible to vote in the 2024 election.

The Bottom Line

As things stand now, Donald Trump is eligible to vote in the 2024 election. However, his eligibility could change if his felony conviction is upheld on appeal or if Congress votes to bar him from holding office again.