Trump, Melania cast early in-person ballots in Florida for US midterm elections

Donald Trump and Melania Trump cast early in-person ballots in Florida before he headed to a Georgia rally. The vote highlighted his Republican campaign push and renewed attention to his criticism of mail-in voting.

In Short

• Trump says he voted for Republicans across the ballot
• He votes in person despite past criticism of mail-in voting
• The US President endorsed Republican Byron Donalds in Florida

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump cast their ballots in person in Florida on Saturday, October 24, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Trump said he voted for Republicans on the ballot before heading to Georgia for a campaign rally, as the president continues to campaign for his party's candidates ahead of a crucial electoral contest.

The couple arrived together at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office in West Palm Beach after Trump spent the morning at a nearby golf course, news agency AP reported. Wearing an “I Voted” sticker, Trump was asked whether he had voted along party lines. “Very much so,” he replied.

In Florida, Trump endorsed Republican Representative Byron Donalds in the race to succeed outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. Donalds is running against David Jolly, a Republican who became an independent and then a Democrat.

Trump also campaigned for Republican Senator Ashley Moody, who is seeking election to the remaining two years of former Senator Marco Rubio's term against Democratic state lawmaker Angie Nixon.

The president's decision to vote in person comes despite his repeated criticism of mail-in voting. Trump has used mail ballots in previous Florida elections, including a March special election for a state House seat, even as he has advocated tighter restrictions on the practice.

His voting history has drawn scrutiny because of the contrast between his own use of mail ballots and his criticism of their wider use.

According to CBS News, the White House had announced a day earlier that Trump and Melania would vote early in person in Palm Beach County. The visit coincided with the start of Florida's early-voting period for the midterms. The president's plans for Election Day itself had not been made clear, the network reported before the couple cast their ballots.

After casting his ballot, Trump travelled to Perry, Georgia and addressed a rally supporting Republican candidates, the Associated Press reported. His Florida visit came as he continued campaigning for Republicans in the run-up to the November 3 midterms.

- Ends