Trump Casts Mail-In Ballot Amidst Public Criticism of the Practice
Former President Donald Trump recently utilized a mail-in ballot in a Florida state legislative special election, public records confirm. This action comes while Mr. Trump has consistently and publicly decried mail-in voting, asserting its susceptibility to fraud and advocating for more stringent regulations.
Details of the Recent Vote
Public records from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections indicate that Mr. Trump submitted a mail-in ballot for the special election in Florida's House District 87. He requested the ballot on March 14, and it was received the following day, subsequently being counted. The special election took place on a Tuesday.
During the period he cast his ballot, Mr. Trump was present at his Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago, where early in-person voting was also accessible until the Sunday preceding the election. He had previously endorsed the Republican candidate, Jon Maples, in the District 87 race against Democrat Emily Gregory.
Trump's Consistent Critique of Mail-In Voting
Approximately one week after casting his mail ballot, Mr. Trump reiterated his strong objections to the practice during an event in Memphis, Tennessee.
"Mail-in voting means mail-in cheating. I call it mail-in cheating, and we got to do something about it all."
For several years, Mr. Trump has maintained that mail-in voting is prone to fraud, labeling the method as "cheating," "corrupt," and a "scam." He advocates for congressional action, including the passage of the SAVE Act, which aims to prohibit universal mail ballots and limit their use to specific groups such as individuals with disabilities, military personnel, or those traveling on Election Day. The proposed act also seeks to mandate proof of U.S. citizenship for new voters and increase voter identification requirements. The SAVE Act faces legislative hurdles in the Senate.
Mr. Trump's focus on mail ballots intensified following the 2020 presidential election, which he attributed his loss to widespread fraud involving mail ballots. However, multiple U.S. courts and his former attorney general found no evidence of widespread fraud that impacted the election outcome, despite an increase in mail ballots cast during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Trump has also erroneously stated that the United States is "the only country in the world that does it that way" regarding mail voting, though numerous other countries, including European democracies, utilize various forms of the practice.
Personal Voting History
Mr. Trump changed his official residence and voter registration to Florida during his first term as president. He does not have a standing request for mail ballots in all elections, requiring him to request a ballot for each individual election. This is not the first instance of Mr. Trump voting by mail; he also mailed his ballot during the 2020 presidential primary.
Wider Implications and Legal Landscape
Election experts have observed that statements critical of mail-in voting can significantly influence public trust in the democratic process. These experts also highlight that local election officials implement extensive checks and balances designed to prevent and address potential fraud.
In a related legal development, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a Mississippi case concerning the counting of mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received at a later date. This hearing occurred one day after the Florida special election. Mr. Trump has previously voiced criticism of such allowances, which are currently in place in 14 states and the District of Columbia.