Far fewer Floridians have received mail-in ballots this election after a new state law changed how often voters need to request them.

Why it matters: That could spell bad news for Democrats, who are seeing the biggest decline in absentee ballots so far this cycle.

By the numbers: Politico reports that 46% fewer Florida voters are in line to receive a mail-in ballot compared to the 2022 midterms, according to the latest state data available.

• Just about 2.23 million voters have asked for absentee ballots for this year's elections, compared to 4.11 million ahead of the 2022 primary, the outlet reported.

Catch up fast: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an election law in 2021 that requires voters to request new mail-in ballots every election cycle, instead of every two.

• As a result, all of Florida's standing mail-in ballot requests expired after the 2022 elections, instead of carrying over to this November's presidential election.

Stunning stat: About 868,000 fewer Democrats are expected to receive mail-in ballots this year, compared to a drop of about 506,000 requests for the Republican Party, per Politico.

Zoom in: The Miami-Dade Elections Department, which began sending out ballots this month, tells Axios its initial ballot numbers are down 45% compared to 2022.

• The department's initial mail out this month was 215,000, compared to 392,000 in July 2022 and 332,000 in July 2020.

In Broward County, the supervisor of election's office announced that 200,000 mail-in ballots were sent out this week, or about one-third the number requested for the 2020 election.

What they're saying: Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said the new state law amounts to "voter suppression."

• "What did you think was going to happen when Republicans canceled all ballot requests?" she told Politico in a statement. "So many voters are expecting ballots that aren't coming."

The other side: At the time, DeSantis said the new law — which also placed restrictions on ballot drop boxes and ballot collection — increases transparency in the state's election process.

How to get a mail-in ballot

The "new" Donald Trump soothed and silenced the nation for 28 minutes last night. Then the old Trump returned and bellowed, barked and bored America for 64 minutes more.

Why it matters: Despondent Democrats were reminded why they had long believed, before President Biden melted down in last month's debate, that Trump is a flawed candidate — and eminently beatable.

Zoom in: A bandaged, somber, subdued Trump opened his nomination speech by recounting his near-death experience in vivid detail, promising it would be the first and only time he'd do so "because it's too painful to tell."

• Inside the Fiserv Forum, the ebullient mood gave way to rapt silence. "I'm not supposed to be here tonight," the former president mused as he described a would-be assassin's bullet clipping his ear.
• "I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of Almighty God," Trump said, echoing a long list of Republican National Convention speakers who had cited divine intervention for his survival.

As attendees wiped away tears, Trump pivoted to a message of proposed unity — vowing to be a president "for all of America."

• It was a marked departure from dark rally speeches in which Trump has warned of an "enemy from within" and "vermin" living on U.S. soil who pose more of a threat than foreign adversaries.

Zoom out: From there, Trump fell into a familiar stump speech — veering off the Teleprompter as he railed against a migrant "invasion" and accused Democrats of "cheating" in the 2020 election.

• At 92 minutes, it was the longest televised presidential acceptance speech in U.S. history.

Read the bottom line

Enid Pinkney, Miami historian and preservationist, died yesterday at 92. (Miami Herald)

• The activist was known for her work preserving the history of Miami's Black pioneers and landmarks including the Hampton House.

🏅 Three University of Miami divers are representing other countries at the Paris Olympics this summer. (Miami Herald)

• Chiara Pellacani will dive for Italy, Mohamed Farouk for Egypt and incoming freshman Jake Passmore for Ireland.

🏀 Miami Heat Summer League guard Alondes Williams threw down the dunk of the summer this week against Dallas. Over 3 million X users have seen the clip. (Bleacher Report)

• Williams, a former two-way contract player with the Heat last season, is a free agent after Miami let him walk.

🙌 Ricky Bakery Coral Way has the best pastelito in Miami, according to the Infatuation's Power Rankings roundup released yesterday. (The Infatuation)

From heritage celebrations to Spongebob Squarepants Day, the Marlins are offering fun T-shirts and jerseys to lure fans to the games.

State of play: A ticket to Saturday's game includes a limited-edition Venezuelan Heritage Marlins jersey designed by local artist Porti.

• Ticket sales will benefit the Fe y Alegria Foundation.

What's next: Aug. 9 is the Jamaican Heritage Celebration

• Aug. 10 is the Dominican Republic Heritage Celebration
• Aug. 11 is SpongeBob SquarePants Day
• Aug. 24 is the Colombian Heritage Celebration
• Aug. 25 is the Jewish Community Celebration
• Sept. 7 is the Nicaraguan Heritage Celebration

Theme nights in the works

A new analysis of the most uniquely popular ice cream flavors by state reveals orange sherbet and rocky road ice cream are each the most popular in 11 states, according to summer 2023 purchase data from Instacart.

• Per usual, Florida seems to be bucking the trend.

State of scoop: Residents in the sunshine state prefer rum raisin. (We're not here to yuck y'all's yums, but…we gasped.)

The big picture: Many states have a different top flavor than their neighbors. Overall, classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and cream are the most popular flavors nationwide.

Our thought bubble: Sommer's favorite flavor is coffee, while Martin loves a scoop of dulce de leche or cookies and cream.

What's next: Grab a scoop or two to celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 21.

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