Trump Votes by Mail in Florida Amidst Ongoing Criticism of the Practice

(AP) – President Donald Trump has cast another mail ballot in Florida as he continues to publicly bash the voting method as a source of fraud and push Congress to curtail the practice.

President Trump Casts Mail Ballot in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County voter records present the president voted by mail in a Tuesday special election for state legislative seats, and that his ballot has been counted. The election included Florida State House District 87 and Senate District 14. Early in-person voting in the contest ran through Sunday, when Trump was at his South Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago [1].

White House Response and Trump’s Stance on Mail-In Voting

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press. Aides have stated that Trump’s objections are directed at states using universal mail-in voting, not individual voters who may have limited access to polling places.

Despite this, Trump has recently labeled mail-in voting as “cheating” and “corrupt as hell.” He is advocating for the passage of the SAVE Act, a bill that would restrict universal mail ballots and limit options to specific voters – those with disabilities, military commitments, or travel commitments on Election Day. The bill faces significant opposition in the Senate.

Longstanding Criticism and False Claims

Trump has consistently focused on mail ballots since falsely claiming his 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden was due to fraud. These claims have been refuted by multiple U.S. Courts and his own Attorney General, with no evidence of widespread fraud affecting the outcome, even with the increased use of mail ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re the only country in the world that does it that way. Corrupt as hell,” Trump stated last week even as hosting Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.

International Practices and the SAVE America Act

Yet, dozens of countries, including many U.S. Allies, utilize some form of mail-in voting. Trump has identified the SAVE America Act as a key legislative priority, even amidst other pressing issues like the Iran war and a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

Past Statements and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Last August, Trump criticized mail voting during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating, “We’re going to start with an executive order that’s being written right now by the best lawyers in the country to finish mail-in ballots due to the fact that they’re corrupt.” He added, “And it’s time that the Republicans acquire tough and stop it because the Democrats aim for it. It’s the only way they can get elected.”

Trump’s Voter Registration and Social Media Endorsement

Trump, who changed his official residence and voter registration from New York to Florida during his first term, does not have a standing vote-by-mail request. He must request a mail ballot for each individual election.

On Monday, Trump endorsed Jon Maples in the House contest via his Truth Social platform, stating, “There is a extremely crucial Special Election tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24th, for Florida State House District 87 in beautiful Palm Beach County. … TO ALL GREAT PATRIOTS IN FLORIDA STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 87: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR JON MAPLES! Polls are open from 7:00 A.M. To 7:00 P.M.” He did not mention his own use of mail-in voting.

Supreme Court Case and Future Implications

This Florida election follows a day after the Supreme Court heard arguments in a Mississippi case concerning the validity of mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day but received later. Trump has criticized these allowances in 14 states and the District of Columbia.

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