Local community pressure has been successful in getting Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner to open an early voting location in the Newtown community at the North Sarasota Library for the August primary. The location had been eliminated as an early voting site in previous years due to low voter turnout. To increase the community’s commitment to showing up at the polls, local organizers are hosting a Voter Registration Drive in Newtown on July 28 and 29. Monday, July 30 is the last day to register to vote in the August 28 primary. Volunteers will be out in the community knocking on doors and volunteers will also be set up at two local barbershops, Phat Headz and Kuttin’ Up, from 10am to 2pm, to register people to vote. The Voter Registration Drive will continue with Commit to Vote Sunday on July 29 at area churches, where local pastors will emphasize the struggle African Americans have waged to secure the right to vote.

Sarasota County Government