At Gulf Coast Community Foundation, we know the critical importance of making your voice heard at the ballot box. Sarasota County voters have the opportunity to vote in an important election right around the corner. The Aug. 23 Primary Election occurs in advance of the Nov. 8 General Election. As of today, there is still an opportunity to vote early, return your vote-by-mail ballot, or prepare your plans for election day voting. We encourage all registered voters eligible for voting in this election to vote using one of the three convenient methods (by mail, early voting, or voting in person on election day). 

Florida is a closed primary state, which means only voters who are affiliated with a political party may vote in that party’s primary. Voters with minor or no party affiliation may only vote in nonpartisan races, such as school board and municipal offices, or in universal primary contests. You can learn more through the Sarasota County Supervisor of Election’s guide to the Primary here.

Early voting for the Aug. 23 Primary Election is open this weekend – today (Saturday, Aug. 20) and tomorrow (Sunday, Aug. 21), from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the following locations (Sarasota Elections Office, Venice Elections Office, North Port Elections Office, North Sarasota Public Library, Fruitville Public Library, and The Devyn Event Center). The final day of early voting is tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 21.

Today is too late to mail back your vote-by-mail ballot in order for it to reach the elections office in time to be tabulated.  You may return your vote-by-mail ballot in person inside any Sarasota County elections office until Aug. 22. This includes weekends and the hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5pm On election day (Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022), you can return your vote-by-mail ballot from 7am to 7pm at any three of the Sarasota County elections offices. 

On election day, if you have not yet voted, you should vote at your assigned polling place. Check your Voter Information Card to make sure you arrive at your proper polling place. Polls are open 7am to 7pm on election day. The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections office notes that there is a permanent change of polling location in Precincts 205 and 207 and return of Precincts 211 and 213 to their original polling location, effective beginning with the Aug. 23 Primary Election. Precincts 211 and 213, which had been temporarily moved for the March 2022 special election, will return to St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Dr., Sarasota. The new polling location for precincts 205 and 207 is McCown Towers, 1300 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. 

People often say your vote is your voice. The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy. Every election and every vote is important, and I hope this information will help guide you in voting in the Aug. 23 Primary.

Mark Pritchett is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.