It’s one of those weird questions that pops into your head while you're standing in line at the grocery store or staring at a ballot. Do presidential candidates vote for themselves? I mean, technically, they’re citizens. They have the right. But is it considered "bad form"? Is there some secret tradition where they leave that circle blank to stay humble?
Honestly, the answer is almost always a resounding yes. They vote for themselves. And they usually do it with a pack of cameras shoved in their faces to make sure everybody knows they’ve got skin in the game.
The Optics of the "Self-Vote"
In modern American politics, the act of a candidate voting is a massive media event. You’ve seen the footage: the candidate and their spouse walk into a school gymnasium or a community center, grab a sticker, and pose for the "I Voted" photo op.
If a candidate didn't vote for themselves, it would be a PR nightmare. Imagine the headlines. "Candidate X lacks confidence in own platform!" or "Does Candidate Y even want the job?" In a world where every single move is scrutinized, skipping your own name on the ballot would look like a bizarre lack of conviction.
Does it actually count toward their total?
Here’s where it gets a little nerdy. When a candidate "votes for themselves," they aren’t actually voting for themselves in the way you might think. Because of how the Electoral College works, they are technically voting for a slate of electors in their home state who have promised to support them.
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Most candidates are registered to vote in their home state. For example:
- Donald Trump moved his residency to Florida and votes there.
- Joe Biden typically votes in Delaware.
- Kamala Harris is a California voter.
If a candidate is from a state that’s already a "lock" for their party, their individual vote is mostly symbolic. If a Democrat votes for themselves in deep-blue California, it doesn't change the needle. But if a candidate is from a "swing state"—say, Pennsylvania or Arizona—that single vote (plus their family's) is a tiny drop in a very important bucket.
Historical Exceptions: When They Didn't Vote
Believe it or not, there was a time when "campaigning" for yourself was seen as a bit tacky. In the 19th century, many candidates stayed home and acted like they weren't even interested in the job. It was the "office seeks the man" era.
Back in the day, some candidates actually felt it was more dignified to abstain or, in very rare cases of local elections, vote for their opponent as a sign of gentlemanly respect.
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But those days are long gone. Basically, once the "front porch campaign" died out and the modern media machine took over, the "self-vote" became a mandatory part of the script.
What about the vice president?
Same deal. The running mate almost always votes for the ticket they are on. It would be pretty awkward at the next strategy meeting if the VP admitted they just couldn't bring themselves to pull the lever for the person at the top of the ballot.
Can they vote if they aren't in their home state?
Presidential candidates are busy. Like, "three states in one day" busy. They don't always have time to fly back to their local precinct on a Tuesday in November.
Most of the time, they use absentee ballots or take advantage of early voting. However, because the visual of the candidate in the voting booth is such a powerful "Get Out the Vote" (GOTV) tool, many will make a special trip home just for the cameras. It’s all about the "everyman" vibe. They want to show that they’re doing their civic duty just like you.
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Why this matters for your own ballot
While the candidate's single vote won't decide the presidency, the fact that they bother to do it highlights how much every margin matters. In 2000, the election famously came down to just a few hundred votes in Florida.
If you’re wondering if you should follow their lead and get to the polls, here are some actionable steps to make sure your vote actually lands:
- Check your registration early: Don't wait until the week of. Use sites like Vote.org to make sure you haven't been purged from the rolls.
- Know your deadlines: Mail-in ballots often need to be postmarked or received by a specific date. These rules change state-to-state, and sometimes they change right before the election due to new court rulings.
- Research the whole ballot: The president is at the top, but local judges, school board members, and city council reps often have a more direct impact on your daily life.
Candidates vote for themselves because they believe in their vision (and because it looks good on the 6 o'clock news). Whether you're voting for them or someone else, the mechanism is the same. Just make sure you’re registered in the right precinct so your "self-vote"—or your vote for anyone else—actually hits the tally.