Former President Donald Trump set an example for early voting by voting early on Wednesday in Florida’s Republican primary, which takes place next Tuesday.
“I’m honored to vote. We did a great job,” Trump said after voting, according to a video posted by his deputy communications director.
“I think we’re doing very well. We just had a poll come out that shows we’re doing really well,” he said. “It’s going to be an interesting few months.”
Florida is gearing up for its House and Senate primary elections on August 20. Early voting began last Saturday and will continue through this Saturday.
Trump, 78, voted in Palm Beach before traveling to Asheville, North Carolina for a campaign trip.
Ahead of the November 5 presidential election, President Trump has been urging voters to cast their ballots early, justifying this by pointing to the need to win.
In June, his campaign launched an effort dubbed “Swamp The Vote USA” to promote absentee and early voting by mail.
“Republicans must win, and we will use every appropriate tool to defeat Democrats because they are destroying our country. Whether you vote absentee, by mail, early or on Election Day, we will protect your vote. We will make sure your ballot is safe and your voice is heard,” he said in a statement at the time.
Still, Trump has previously criticized the practice of voting by mail and early voting, including at a recent rally in Georgia where he called for same-day voting.
“I’m going to make our elections secure. Our goal is to get you one-day voting with paper ballots, proof of citizenship and voter ID,” Trump declared at a recent rally.
