Donald Trump participated in the vote on Tuesday in Palm Beach, Florida, despite his status as a convicted felon, and there’s a reason for this situation.
Earlier in the year, the former US president, who aims to reclaim the White House in the forthcoming presidential election, was convicted and found guilty in Manhattan on all 34 counts related to falsifying business records.
Trump had previously refuted the allegations, which suggested that the records were connected to a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, facilitated by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen.
Following the jury’s guilty verdict, Trump criticized the trial as a ‘disgrace’ and ‘rigged,’ maintaining that he was an ‘innocent man.’
Although he aspires to secure the presidency in the upcoming election, Trump is slated for sentencing on November 26.
Many speculated that his conviction might pose challenges for the businessman in casting his vote today (5 November), given that Florida generally imposes obstacles for individuals with felony convictions to vote.
However, this does not seem to apply to Trump.
According to CNN, there exists a loophole in the system where Florida law allows deferral to another state’s law regarding voting rights for those with felony convictions obtained outside Florida.
In New York, a 2021 law permits individuals with felony convictions to vote under certain conditions, such as having their voting rights restored upon release from incarceration. If they are not imprisoned, they remain eligible to vote, as stated by the New York State Board of Elections.
Blair Bowie, director of the Campaign Legal Center’s Restore Your Vote project, informed CNN: “Florida is really behind in terms of its laws.”
Because of Trump’s conviction in another state, he has been able to circumvent Florida’s restrictions, unlike others who face the prohibition on voting unless their rights are restored by the State Clemency Board, as per the Florida Division of Elections.
“Bottom line is, it should be this easy for everyone, not just Trump,” added Bowie.
As Americans proceed to the polls to choose their next president, some may have noticed that Trump appears ‘much more orange’ than usual.
If you have perceived this, you are not alone.
Celebrity makeup artist Safia Cox explained to the Mirror why she believes this is the case, stating: “I think he uses some sort of fake tan or tinted moisturizer with a bronzer. I 100% do not think it’s sun beds as it would be a completely different tone.
“I think it’s some sort of fake tan or some sort of tinted moisturizer with bronzer, and he’s then used powder with it. It’s definitely some sort of cream product that he uses and has probably mattified it after because it’s so orange.”