Jonah Patel
In the United States, candidates are permitted to vote for themselves in elections. A candidate is still an ordinary citizen, and to deny them the right to vote for a particular position would be to deny an ordinary citizen their right to vote, which would be illegal. In the case of former President Donald Trump, his ability to vote in the 2024 election will depend on his sentence, as Florida, where he is a resident, defers to other states' disenfranchisement laws for residents convicted of out-of-state felonies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can candidates vote for themselves? | Yes, candidates can vote for themselves. However, it is not verified who they voted for. |
| Can a convicted felon vote? | In New York, convicted felons can vote unless they are incarcerated. |
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What You'll Learn
Candidates are ordinary citizens and can vote for whomever they please
Candidates are ordinary citizens and, as such, can vote for whomever they please. This means that candidates are able to vote for themselves and, in some cases, this is expected. For example, in one source, a user describes how in their hometown, the candidates for mayor vote for each other as a show of goodwill. However, it is never verified who a candidate has voted for.
This is supported by the example of Donald Trump, who, as a Florida resident, is able to vote in the election unless he is imprisoned in New York. This is because Florida defers to other states' disenfranchisement rules for residents convicted of out-of-state felonies. New York law only removes the right to vote for people convicted of felonies when they are incarcerated—once they are out of prison, their rights are automatically restored, even if they are on parole.
Therefore, candidates, as ordinary citizens, are able to vote for themselves unless they have been convicted of a felony and are incarcerated.
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Imprisonment may affect a candidate's ability to vote
In California, for example, individuals serving a state prison sentence in a local detention facility under an agreement between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and local governments are not permitted to register and vote. Additionally, those awaiting transfer to a state or federal prison after a felony conviction are also barred from voting. Nevertheless, individuals with prior felony convictions in California can have their voting rights restored by completing their sentences, meeting release conditions, and registering to vote.
In other states, such as Louisiana, individuals on probation or parole for over five years may be eligible to vote. It is important to note that voting rights restoration can depend on the type and date of conviction, repayment of fines, individual petitions, or gubernatorial pardons in certain states.
Canada has a similar situation, where a 2002 Supreme Court ruling affirmed that imprisoned individuals have the right to vote under Section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, imprisoned citizens in Ontario face barriers to voting due to legislative, bureaucratic, and procedural issues. These include insufficient communication from correctional facilities, literacy challenges, and the requirement to fill out ballots in the presence of a liaison officer without privacy.
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A candidate's residency affects their voting rights
A candidate's residency can indeed affect their voting rights. In the United States, a candidate's ability to vote for themselves depends on their state of residence and whether they have been convicted of a felony. For instance, in the 2024 election, former President Donald Trump's ability to vote for himself hinges on his sentence for felony charges.
Trump established residency in Florida while he was president in 2019. Florida defers to other states' disenfranchisement laws for residents convicted of out-of-state felonies. In Trump's case, New York law applies, as that is where he was convicted. New York law states that individuals convicted of felonies are barred from voting only during their incarceration. Once they are out of prison, their voting rights are automatically restored, even if they are on parole.
Therefore, Trump will be able to vote in the 2024 election if he stays out of prison. However, it is worth noting that he will not be able to vote in his home state of New York, as New York does not allow individuals convicted of felonies to vote for themselves or anyone else.
While candidates' voting rights may vary based on their state of residence and felony convictions, it is important to remember that, as citizens, they are generally expected to vote. In some small towns, candidates for positions like mayor may vote at the same time and are expected to vote for each other as a show of goodwill, although this is not verified.
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Candidates are expected to vote for themselves
A candidate is an ordinary citizen, and as such, they can vote for whomever they choose. Preventing a candidate from voting for a particular person would be akin to preventing an ordinary citizen from doing so, which would be illegal.
In the case of former US President Donald Trump, there were questions about whether he could vote for himself in the 2024 election. Trump, a Florida resident, can vote in the election as long as he is not incarcerated, as Florida defers to other states' disenfranchisement rules for residents convicted of out-of-state felonies. New York, the state where Trump was convicted, only removes the right to vote for incarcerated individuals, and their rights would be restored once he is out of prison, even if he is on parole.
Therefore, candidates are expected to vote for themselves, but it is not a requirement, and there may be exceptions in certain jurisdictions if they are convicted of a felony or incarcerated.
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A candidate's conviction may bar them from voting
In the United States, candidates are allowed to vote for themselves. A candidate is still an ordinary citizen, and to say that a candidate cannot vote for themselves is to prevent an ordinary citizen from voting, which would be illegal. However, a candidate's conviction may bar them from voting, depending on the state and the details of their conviction.
Each state and territory has different laws regarding voting after a felony conviction. For instance, in California, a person serving a state prison sentence in a local detention facility is not allowed to register and vote. Additionally, a person in a local detention facility who is awaiting transfer to a state or federal prison following a felony conviction is also barred from voting. In New York, the law states that people convicted of felonies are not allowed to vote only when they are incarcerated. Once they are out of prison, their rights are automatically restored, even if they are on parole.
To check their eligibility to vote, individuals with a felony conviction can refer to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Guide to State Voting Rules After a Criminal Conviction. This guide provides state-by-state information about specific crimes and other factors, such as probation and parole, that can affect voting rights. It is important to note that even if individuals have registered to vote in the past, they may need to update their registration with their latest information, including their mailing address.
In the case of former President Donald Trump, his ability to vote in the 2024 election will depend on his sentence. As a Florida resident, Trump's voting eligibility will be influenced by the state's deference to other states' disenfranchisement laws for residents convicted of out-of-state felonies. If Trump is not incarcerated, he will likely be able to vote in the 2024 election.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, candidates are expected to vote for themselves. However, it is not verified who they voted for.
Yes, a candidate can vote for their opponent if they choose to. However, it would be unusual for a candidate to do so.
A candidate who is convicted of a felony and is incarcerated may be restricted from voting, depending on the state laws of the jurisdiction in which they are running for office.
It depends on the state laws of the jurisdiction where the candidate is running for office. Some states may restrict incarcerated individuals from voting, while others may not.
In some cases, candidates may be able to vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to vote in person on election day. The specific rules and procedures for absentee voting may vary depending on the jurisdiction.
