Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has stated that former President Donald Trump will be able to cast his vote in the upcoming November election, regardless of his recent conviction in New York. DeSantis took to social media to clarify the situation, emphasizing that Trump’s voting rights in Florida remain intact.
“Former President Donald Trump hasn’t lost his voting rights in Florida. Rights are not removed in Florida where they haven’t yet been stripped in the convicting jurisdiction,” DeSantis explained.
He further noted that given the “absurd nature” of the New York prosecution of Trump, this would be an easy case for the Florida Clemency Board, which DeSantis chairs, to qualify for the restoration of rights if necessary.
DeSantis concluded his statement by asserting that Trump’s vote this November will be one of millions demonstrating Florida’s status as a solid Republican state.
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just four days before the start of the Republican National Convention. While the conviction could potentially impact some of Trump’s rights, such as the right to carry a firearm and the right to vote, DeSantis has made it clear that the former president will not face any obstacles in exercising his voting rights in Florida.
From a practical standpoint, Trump is virtually assured of a Florida win in November, even if he were somehow unable to vote for himself. He won the state by 1.2 points in 2016 and almost three-and-a-half points in 2020, and current polling shows him leading by as much as 11 points in 2024.
