Former President Donald Trump submitted a mail-in ballot for Tuesday’s Florida special election while simultaneously advocating for severe restrictions on mail-in voting nationwide, according to Palm Beach County voting records.
County records confirm Trump’s absentee ballot was received and tallied for the state legislative special election. In-person early voting concluded Sunday while Trump remained at his Mar-a-Lago residence in south Florida.
White House representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Administration officials have previously stated that Trump’s criticism targets states implementing universal mail-in voting systems rather than individual voters who cannot reach polling locations.
Despite this explanation, Trump recently described mail-in voting as “cheating” and “corrupt as hell.” He is advocating for congressional approval of the SAVE Act, comprehensive legislation that would eliminate universal mail balloting and restrict absentee voting to limited circumstances including disability, military service, or Election Day travel. The proposal faces significant challenges in the evenly split Senate.
Trump’s focus on mail balloting stems from his unsubstantiated claims that his 2020 defeat to Democrat Joe Biden resulted from voting fraud. Numerous federal courts and his former attorney general found no evidence supporting fraud allegations that would have changed the election outcome, despite increased mail voting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re the only country in the world that does it that way. Corrupt as hell,” Trump stated during a White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin last week.
However, numerous nations including traditional European allies utilize various forms of postal voting systems.
Trump characterized the SAVE Act as the “biggest thing” currently before Washington, even as lawmakers address Iran-related conflicts and potential Department of Homeland Security shutdowns.
During an August meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump criticized mail voting, stating: “We’re going to start with an executive order that’s being written right now by the best lawyers in the country to end mail-in ballots because they’re corrupt. And it’s time that the Republicans get tough and stop it because the Democrats want it. It’s the only way they can get elected.”
Trump, who transferred his voter registration from New York to Florida during his presidency, lacks permanent mail ballot status and must request absentee ballots for individual elections, county records show.
Tuesday’s ballot featured races for Florida House District 87 and Senate District 14.
Trump endorsed a House candidate Monday through his Truth Social platform, writing: “There is a very important 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.” His post made no reference to his own mail ballot submission.
The Florida election occurred one day following Supreme Court oral arguments regarding a Mississippi case examining whether states may count mail ballots postmarked by Election Day but received afterward. Trump has opposed such policies in 14 states and Washington D.C.
