On Monday, The New York Times reported that Bush incorrectly listed himself as Hispanic on his 2009 voter registration form. Bush's team laughed off the issue, however, and attributed it to an unidentified mistake.
"It's unclear where the paperwork error was made. The Governor's family certainly got a good laugh out of it. He is not Hispanic," Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell told Business Insider.
Bush and his half-Hispanic son, Jeb Bush Jr., also joked about the mishap on Twitter:
My mistake! Don't think I've fooled anyone! RT @JebBushJr LOL - come on dad, think you checked the wrong box #HonoraryLatino
- Jeb Bush (@JebBush) April 6, 2015
Hey @JebBush, did you know it's a 3rd degree felony to submit false information on your voter registration form? pic.twitter.com/6xCafz1ydB
- FL Democratic Party (@FlaDems) April 6, 2015
It doesn't seem probable that Bush would truly face legal repercussions for the registration error, as the criminal penalty is likely designed to combat voter fraud, not people listing their own ethnicity incorrectly. Also, as Campbell pointed out, "It's unclear where the paperwork error was made."
Campbell did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Florida Democratic Party's allegation.