Turnout Already High As Election Nears

Todays News

Early voted has wrapped and in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and most voters in the region have already cast their ballots for the 2020 election. But there’s plenty of votes still to be cast before now and 7pm Tuesday evening.

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner stressed the opportunity still exists to vote safely in this high-profile election. But he said it’s important voters know where to go before heading out to polls.

“If you are one of the thousands of voters who have not yet voted, and plan to cast your ballot on Election Day, please don’t wait until the last minute to find out the location of your election day polling place,” Turner said. Several poll locations have been moved or closed, so check with the local supervisor’s office if you need to shift plans.

In Sarasota County, 135,671 voters had already voted by mail as of Sunday morning, as had 82,728 who early voted at locations in the state. That includes (46,169 Rep, 17,495 Dems) 93,964 Republicans and 76,554 Democrats.

Another 99,513 mail-in votes had been received in Manatee County and 66,614 voted early in person. In that county, 75,263 Republicans and 54,832 Democrats.

Of course, much of that turnout comes courtesy the presidential election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Florida’s 29 electoral votes could determine the winner of the election.

But there’s also several key local races that will be decided. U.S Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, faces a solid challenge from Democrat Margaret Good earning national notice. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, is in a heavily GOP district but faces a challenge from Democrat Allen Ellison and independent Theodore “Pink Tie” Murray. Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, faces a challenge from Democrat Katherine Norman and independent Robert Samuel Kaplan, and an open Senate seat in Manatee sees Republican Jim Boyd and Democrat Anthony Eldon on the ballot.

There’s an open race in House District 72, where Democrat Drake Buckman and Republican Fiona McFarland battle. Reps. Will Robinson, Tommy Gregory and James Buchanan face respective challenges from Democrats Andy Mele, David Fairey and Lisa Stortstrom

Both counties will be part of a State Attorney’s election between incumbent Ed Brodsky and Democrat Betsy Young.

Meanwhile, Sarasota has three County Commission races happening, with Republican Mike Moran facing Democrat Mark Pienkos in District 1, Republican Nancy Detert against Democrat Cory Hutchinson in District 3 and Republican Ron Cutsinger battling Democrat Alice White in District 5.

In Manatee County, there’s two significant County Commission races. Democrat Dominque Shauntel Brown faces Republican James Satcher in District 1, while independent Matthew Bower faces Kevin Van Ostenbridge in District 3. There’s also a School Board race between incumbent Dave “Watchdog” Miner and challenger Mary Foreman.

In the City of Sarasota, Willie Shaw faces Kyle Scott Battle in District 1, Commissioner Liz Alpert is up against Terry Turner in District 2 and Dan Clermont goes against Erik Arroyo in District 3. In Bradenton, Gene Brown, Harold Byrd, Jr. and Dimitrie Denis are all running for an open Mayor post, while Pamela Coachman and Keenan Wooten face off in District 5. In North Port, David Iannotti and Richard Suggs run in a District 1 runoff, Barbara Langdon and Jacqueline Moore remain in District 2, and Debbie McDowell and Jerry Nicastro are running in District 3. In Venice, Brian Kelly and Bill Willson run for a District 2 seat.

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