Donald J. Trump (R-FL) cast a mail-in ballot in Florida earlier this month while publicly calling the practice "cheating."
The move highlights a contradiction between the former president's public rhetoric regarding election integrity and his personal voting habits during his bid for the Florida governor nomination.
Records from the Florida Division of Elections show Trump filed his ballot before the Aug. 15, 2026, deadline [1]. This action follows a series of public statements where Trump criticized the security of non-in-person voting. On Aug. 10, Trump said, "Mail-in voting is cheating" [2].
The use of a mail-in ballot has drawn criticism from within his own party. Byron Donalds, a Florida GOP leader, said, "What a hypocrite" [3].
Reports on Trump's history with mail-in ballots vary. Some sources suggest this is the first time he has ever used the method [4]. However, other reports state this is at least the third time Trump has voted by mail [5].
Trump is currently seeking the Republican nomination for governor of Florida. Despite the controversy surrounding his method of voting, the ballot was filed according to state primary regulations [1]. The Florida Division of Elections confirmed the receipt of the filing [1].
“"Mail-in voting is cheating."”
This incident underscores a recurring tension between Trump's political strategy of questioning mail-in ballot legitimacy and his practical use of those same systems. By utilizing a mail-in ballot to secure his place in the Florida gubernatorial primary, Trump demonstrates a reliance on the legal infrastructure he frequently denounces, potentially providing political opponents with evidence of inconsistency in his platform on election security.
