Trump votes by mail in Florida primary — despite pushing for casting ballots in person

WASHINGTON — President Trump voted by mail in Tuesday’s primary election in Florida, despite pushing for voters to cast ballots in person.

The White House called his choice a “non-story,” saying the president is busy working in DC.

“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.

President Trump voted by mail in Florida’s primary Tuesday. AdMedia / MEGA

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 toughs requirements for 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 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 election.

This year’s contest features a competitive race for the Republican nomination for governor. 

Rep. Byron Donalds has the president’s endorsement in Florida’s Republican primary for governor Getty Images

The president endorsed GOP Rep. Byron Donalds, who is seen as the frontrunner. Still, it’s a real contest with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state House speaker Paul Renner and investor James Fishback running for the nomination, too.

In March, Trump explained his decision to vote by mail, pointing to his job running the country.

“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,” he told reporters at the time.