By Blessing Nweke
President Donald Trump has reportedly voted by mail in Florida’s Republican primary, despite his long-running criticism of mail-in voting and efforts by his administration to impose tighter restrictions on the practice.
According to Politico, Palm Beach County voting records indicate that Trump cast a mail-in ballot ahead of Tuesday’s primary. The White House later confirmed to the New York Times that the president voted by mail, saying Trump remains a resident of Palm Beach but primarily lives at the White House in Washington.
Trump reportedly mailed his ballot on August 13. It is at least the third time he has used mail-in voting since registering as a voter in Palm Beach County in 2019. He also voted by mail in 2020 and during a Florida special election earlier this year.
The vote has drawn attention because Trump has repeatedly attacked mail-in ballots, describing the system as vulnerable to fraud and calling for greater restrictions. In March, he signed an executive order seeking to tighten mail-voting rules ahead of the November midterm elections.
His administration has faced legal setbacks over those efforts. A federal judge recently blocked part of the order that would have required the US Postal Service to restrict delivery of certain mail ballots. The administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene.
Trump has continued to promote the SAVE America Act, which would impose additional requirements on voting and limit access to mail ballots.
The Florida primary is an important contest ahead of November’s midterm elections, with Republicans choosing nominees for governor and other major offices. Trump’s decision to vote by mail has renewed debate over the difference between his personal voting practices and his broader campaign against widespread mail-in voting.
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