Can a convicted felon run for POTUS ?

[frankieallen]

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Theoretically and constitutionally, yes.

[Lochloosa]

2. Short answer. Yes.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Legally, yes. Practically-- you gotta be kidding. But, odder things have happened.

[treestar]

4. Yes and could win

The Founders seemed to assume people would pick electors who picked wisely. So there is little to stop people from voting for insane mad persons, etc.

[pat_k]

5. Sure... but won't be able to vote for themselves...

... depending on where they live
http://felonvoting.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000286

[former9thward]

6. At least one has.

Eugene Debs was the Socialist Party candidate in 1920 and he ran from prison. He had been convicted of advocating draft resistance during WW I. He got over 900,000 votes which was 3.4%.

[onenote]

7. yes

[jberryhill]

8. Yes

Anyone 35 or older, born a citizen, and lived in the US for 14 years prior to election is eligible.

[truebluegreen]

9. Sure.

Qualifications are 35, natural-born citizen, US resident for 14 years. That's it.

ETA oops, duplicate of above post.

[Orsino]

10. Especially when he can simply sign his own presidential pardon and run again. n/t

[frankieallen]

12. Ha, good point, didn't think of that.

[Iggo]

11. As I see you've already been told, Yes.

[TrekLuver]

13. So a felon can run for President but not vote for one.

[Morris64]

14. Can't get a job at the library, but you can be president!

Kinda crazy right? OP, do you think convicted felons should be able to become POTUSA?

[uppityperson]

15. Do you think convicted felons should be able to become POTUS?

[Morris64]

16. No I do not. How about you?

[uppityperson]

21. Why don't you think so?

[Morris64]

22. Until more employment roles,

(including government) allow it, it seems hypocritical to allow the top spot to be held by a felon. Laws for thee and not for me.

How do you feel about it?

[uppityperson]

23. You seem personally affected by this. Welcome to DU, tell us more about you

[Morris64]

25. Not directly affected as far as my own or my family's employment.

I've been fortunate to have great employment with a local government for quite some time in addition to my real estate license.

Thanks for the welcome.

[frankieallen]

24. yes i do, in that the founders put no restrictions on who could run for office, besides being 35

and being a citizen.
it's up to the people to decide.

[arthritisR_US]

17. Only if they are a RepubliCON. nt

[NYC Liberal]

18. They might be constitutionally eligible if chosen by the Electoral College...

but states aren't required to put them on the ballot. Not sure what the various state laws are regarding felons appearing on ballots. In many places you have to be eligible to vote to appear on the ballot.

So technically yes, practically, no. They would probably have to convince Electors directly.

[Mariana]

19. Only under certain conditions can a felon run for President.

They must be natural born citizens, they have to have resided in the US for 14 years, and they must be at least 35 years old.

[Spider Jerusalem]

20. It hasn't stopped Lyndon Larouche?

[unblock]

26. yes, but i wouldn't recommend it.

[Lil Missy]

27. Republicans yes, Democrats no.

[liberal N proud]

28. We really Ned to rethink this anyone can become President thing.

There needs to be an IQ test or test on the constitution. Because the primary process is no longer working.

[sarisataka]

29. Anyone may run for President

and that is ANYONE. Their are no restrictions as to who may run.

Now to actually BE President-

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.

also

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

It is theoretically possible for someone to run, win the election but be unable to take office due to not meeting the qualifications.

[EL34x4]

30. Leonard Peltier ran from prison...

...on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket in 2004. He received 27,000 votes for President.