Donald Trump: Meet the woman who enabled the real estate mogul to vote for himself

When the Republican was met with a frenzy of photographers at the well-heeled synagogue, the woman who handed him his ballot was overlooked

Carol Winer and Juliette Feffer handed Mr Trump his ballot card

(Rachael Revesz / The Independent)

When Donald Trump sailed into his local Central Synagogue on the morning of the New York primary to vote - for himself - the media went into a frenzy, flashing cameras and angling their cranes to get a better look at the man who could be the next president of America.

One woman, however, was sorely overlooked as part of that democratic process.

Juliette Feffer, co-ordinator at the polling station, was the person to hand the real estate mogul his ballot card.

How did it feel to meet the GOP frontrunner on the day of one of the most important primaries before the election?

“I was very proud,” she told The Independent. “I think it’s wonderful we can have elections like this and that he came to vote and his wife came to vote.”

Wonderful indeed, although his children were not able to accompany the couple as they had failed to register on time.

“I found him to be very charming,” Ms Feffer insisted.

The New York Post reported that Mr Trump had waved his voting card and announced to reporters that it was a "secret ballot". Not so secret, perhaps, when most people were aware who Mr Trump was voting for.

“This was just a great honor. I think it’s a great honor for New York. New York is a special place,” Mr Trump reportedly said.

The business mogul is projected to win by a landslide over his rivals, Ted Cruz and John Kasich, and could end up with a clean sweep of the 95 delegates.

“I’d say he was very calm,” added the senior polling co-ordinator, Carol Winer. “There was such a big crowd of press and photographers. He sailed in and was extremely calm.”

After spending a few seconds debating if his hair was real - Ms Winer said it looks better and "less plastic” in real life - Ms Feffer interjected that, either way, he was “tall and very handsome”.

A sophisticated-looking New Yorker approached the table, wearing rings and sunglasses - an Anna Wintour lookalike - and was asked how she felt to receive her ballot at the same table as Mr Trump.

“It’s a free country,” she said, raising her shoulders and avoiding eye contact.

Another man was less hesitant to talk by the ballot table. 33-year-old Mark Monfredo, a project manager at an investment bank, said it felt “wonderful” to be at the well-heeled Lexington Avenue Synagogue, as he had voted for the Republican.

“I voted for him as I feel he is what this country needs. It needs change and someone who can bring that change,” he said, declining to elaborate what change as there would “not be enough time or paper” to list the reasons.

An elderly man shuffled into the polling station, leaning on a walking stick, and said his name was Martin and he was a political sciences professor. After he placed his vote, he told The Independent that it made no difference whether Mr Trump or any candidate had been there before him.

But as he walked slowly out, back onto East 56th street in the sunshine, he turned around.

“There’s one thing I want to tell you,” he called out. “There are many more elections Trump hasn’t voted in!”