WASHINGTON — President Trump voted by mail in Tuesday’s Florida primary elections, despite pushing for voters to cast ballots in person.
The White House called his choice a “non-story,” saying the president is too busy working in the nation’s capital to make a side trip to his home state.
“As everyone knows, the president is a resident of Palm Beach and participates in Florida elections, but he obviously primarily lives at the White House in Washington, DC. This is a non-story,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said.
Palm Beach County voting records show the president requested his ballot in late July and returned it Aug. 13, Politico reported.
Trump has urged Congress to pass the Save America Act, which requires proof of citizenship for voting and toughens requirements to cast mail-in ballots, although it does make exceptions for absentee voting.
“As President Trump has said, the SAVE America Act has commonsense exceptions for Americans to use mail-in ballots for illness, disability, military, or travel — but universal mail-in voting should not be allowed because it’s highly susceptible to fraud,” Wales noted.
The president has been vocal about what he calls the “dangers” of mail-in voting and argues it should be limited to those who serve in the military, are traveling or have a disability or illness.
Florida law allows every eligible registered voter to request a mail-in ballot. Trump is registered to vote in Palm Beach County, with his Mar-a-Lago estate listed as his home address. But he hasn’t been to the state in months.
Tuesday’s primary is not the first time Trump has voted by mail in his home state. He also did so in a March special state legislative election.
“Because of the fact that I’m president of the United States, I did a mail-in ballot for elections that took place in Florida, because I felt I should be here instead of being in the beautiful sunshine,” the president explained his choice to reporters at the time.
Meanwhile, first son Eric Trump and his wife Lara cast their ballots in person Tuesday morning, with Lara Trump posting on X: “In Florida, our ‘I Voted’ stickers have flamingos on them … don’t forget to VOTE TODAY!!!!”
This year’s Sunshine State contests feature a competitive race for the Republican nomination for governor.
The president endorsed GOP Rep. Byron Donalds, who is seen as the frontrunner, with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state House Speaker Paul Renner and investor James Fishback in the running as well.
