President Trump Explains Why He Used A Mail-In Ballot During Florida’s Special Election

President Trump, in recent days, has received some backlash over using a mail-in ballot in Florida’s most recent special election.

On Thursday, Trump addressed the backlash and said he was unable to vote in person because he was in D.C.

He then noted that, for those in the military and government officials with duties away from their district, mail-in ballots should be used.

Politico reported more on Trump’s decision to vote by mail:

President Donald Trump — a relentless critic of mail-in voting — said Thursday that he voted by mail in Florida’s special elections this month because he felt he should be in Washington D.C. “instead of being in the beautiful sunshine.”

“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,” Trump told reporters at the White House during Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.

Reminded that he is often in Palm Beach at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump responded: “I decided that I was going to vote by mail-in ballot because I couldn’t be there, because I had a lot of different things.”

But the president cast his mail-in vote from Palm Beach, records show.

Trump requested his mail-in ballot on Saturday, March 14, according to public Palm Beach County voter records. The ballot was sent to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate the same day and was received for processing the next day, on Sunday, March 15.

The president was in Florida both days, at his golf club from 8:45 a.m. to 2:37 p.m. on Saturday and 9:21 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. on Sunday, according to press pool reports. He took off from Palm Beach International Airport, en route back to Washington, at 6:33 p.m. on Sunday. In-person early voting was open from Saturday, March 14 through Sunday, March 22 at 7 p.m.

“We have exceptions for mail-in ballots, you do know that, right?” Trump told reporters on Thursday. “If you’re away, we have an exception. If you’re in the military, we have an exception. If you’re on a business trip, we have an exception. If you’re disabled, we have an exception. And if you’re ill, if you’re not feeling good. So I was away, mostly in Washington, D.C., so I used a mail-in ballot.”

Watch Trump here:

Trump: I used a mail in ballot. You know why? Because I'm President of the United States, I did a mail in ballot for Florida because I felt I should be here.

Reporter: But you were in Palm Beach pic.twitter.com/9XUiTiyML9

— Acyn (@Acyn) March 26, 2026

The Hill reported that Trump’s vote was not enough, and Democrats were able to flip his home district:

he Democratic upset in two Florida state Legislature races on Tuesday is raising warning signs for Republicans as the party faces divisions ahead of November’s midterms.

Democrats flipped two state House seats, including the district where President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence is located. The seat, located in the 87th District, has flipped in the past, so it may not necessarily be a reflection on Trump and his policies despite him endorsing in the race.

However, it is a sign of growing dissatisfaction with Republicans as the national mood weakens under Trump’s second administration.

“This was a special election so the voters that actually turned out were motivated to send a message that they are unhappy. A regular general election electorate will be different,” said Nick Iarossi, a Florida-based Republican lobbyist.