Florida voters, be forewarned: consult a calendar, not your candidate before casting ballots for president next month — especially those taking cues from Republican nominee Donald Trump.
“We’re doing something that’s incredible, it’s a movement,” Mr. Trump told supporters Tuesday at a campaign rally in Panama City. “But if we don’t win, all it is is a little asterisk in history. There’s never been anything like this so go and register, make sure you get out and vote Nov. 28.”
As the nation’s largest swing state, Florida will undoubtedly play a pivotal part in deciding between Mr. Trump or Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton as the nation’s next president next month. Voters taking advice from Mr. Trump won’t have their say, however, if they heed their candidate’s advice and cast their ballots three weeks after Election Day actually occurs on Nov. 8.
The gaffe makes sense given Tuesday’s rally happened 28 days before the general election, but the slip-up was quickly called out across social media.
“Yes Trump supporters. Whatever you do please get out and vote on November 28th and not a minute before!” actress Rashida Jones wrote on Twitter.
“I think the pressure may be getting to him,” tweeted New York Times reporter Dave Itzkoff.
Coincidentally, Nov. 28 holds some significance for Mr. Trump: U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel ruled last month that a trial centered around the candidate’s embattled Trump University can begin in federal court that day.
Wednesday marks the last day for Floridians to register to vote for president in this year’s election. The state voted Democratic in the last two races, with its electoral votes going to President Obama in both 2008 and 2012.
Mrs. Clinton, meanwhile, said Tuesday that a victory for her in Florida would ravage her Republican rival’s run for the White House.
“If we win Florida, there’s no way my opponent can win,” Mrs. Clinton said.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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