Jeb Bush identified as 'Hispanic' in 2009 voting form

Jeb Bush registered to vote as &quot;Hispanic&quot; in 2009

(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) speaks Spanish, is married to a woman born in Mexico, is father to a prominent Republican outreach ambassador to Latino voters, and lived in Venezuela for two years. But genetically he is a member of the Bush family — which makes his signed declaration, on a 2009 voter-registration form in Florida, that he is "Hispanic" puzzling.

A spokeswoman for Bush, when contacted by The New York Times, offered no explanation for why the probable 2016 presidential candidate checked Hispanic in the "race/ethnicity" box. But according to the Florida Division of Elections, the state voter registration form "requires an original signature because you are swearing or affirming to an oath." So expect an explanation before Bush throws his hat in the ring.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.