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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsElections9yrs ago

Should a politician who has been formerly convicted of a crime be allowed to run for office?

The U.S. constitution does not prevent convicted felons from holding the office of the President or a seat in the Senate or House of Representatives. States may prevent convicted felons candidates from holding statewide and local offices.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 501k Canada voters.

39%
Yes
61%
No
16%
Yes
59%
No
18%
Yes, as long as it was not a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime
3%
No, and disallow politicians that are under investigation for a crime
3%
Yes, as long as they have finished serving their sentence
1%
Yes, as long as the crime was not committed while in office

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 501k Canada voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 501k Canada voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from Canada voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @8VJVJMRfrom Ontario  answered…5yrs5Y

Depends on the circumstances. The person might be a member of a marginalized group and convicted out of hate and inequities in the society & justice system.

 @8T2MVY2from Manitoba  answered…5yrs5Y

Depends on the severity of the offence

 @BDSPS9Jfrom Alberta  answered…4wks4W

Yes, but not for violent crimes

 @B5PKHNXfrom Alberta  answered…1yr1Y

No, the only exception should be when it's a petty crime like stealing something when they were a teenager

 @9LZFDR6from Ontario  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, as long as the crime both was not commited whilst in office, and was not a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime.

 @BF2DNGHfrom British Columbia  answered…1wk1W

As long as they finished serving time, did not commit a felony, and it was not committed in office.

 @BDZPDXCfrom British Columbia  answered…2wks2W

Yes, as long as they meet strict conditions that show they've learned, accepted and acknowledge their past and are striving to be a better person.

 @BDVWRH9 from Ontario  answered…3wks3W

Yes, if no, It can be used for Suppression of other politicians

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 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…2yrs2Y

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Yes

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About This Data

Based on 501k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should a politician who has been formerly convicted of a crime be allowed to run for office?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://canada.isidewith.com/polls/2963614665

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