****UPDATE… AGAIN!****
On Wednesday, October 12 U.S. District Judge Mark Walker extended the already one-day extended deadline to register to vote for six more days. This is due to the damage and disruption caused by Hurricane Matthew. Now you all seriously have NO EXCUSE not to be registered. OCTOBER 18TH!
****UPDATE****
Folks have an extra day – maybe longer – to register to vote.
Maybe you’re of the Dump Trump or Never Hillary lines of thinking. Maybe you’re tired of the two-party system and want to cast a ballot for a third-party candidate. Maybe you’re a Bernie or Bust-er who plans to write-in the Vermont senator’s name.
One thing’s for certain: if you’re not registered by Oct. 11, your vote won’t count.
October 11. That’s less than a week away, folks.
If you haven’t registered, do it. Do it now!
If you are registered, make sure your information is up to date. Don’t forget that you need to report any name or address changes.
Sarasota and Manatee counties offer a few different ways to vote.
ELECTION DAY: You can show up at your voting precinct between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Pros: That “I voted” sticker for your #ElectionDay selfie. It’s tradition. Cons: Long lines. Work might run late and you don’t make it to the polls in time.
Sarasota County residents, find your precinct here. Manatee County residents, check here. Don’t forget your ID.
EARLY VOTING: You can show up to limited locations in the weeks leading up to Election Day.
Pros: That “I voted” sticker is still yours. Shorter lines. Cons: Times and locations may be inconvenient.
Early voting in Sarasota County goes from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily from Oct. 24-Nov. 5. Sarasota County early voting locations:
- Supervisor of Elections, Sarasota County Terrace Building, 2001 Adams Lane in Sarasota
- Supervisor of Elections, Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail in North Port
- Supervisor of Elections, R.L. Anderson Administration Building Room 114, 4000 South Tamiami Trail in Venice
- North County Library, 2801 Newtown Boulevard in Sarasota
- Fruitville Library, 100 Coburn Road in Sarasota
- Westfield Sarasota Square Small, 8201 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota
- Nokomis Community Center, 234 Nippino Trail East in Nokomis
In Manatee County, locations are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Oct. 24-30 and extend hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31-Nov. 5. Manatee County early voting locations:
- Supervisor of Elections, 600 301 Boulevard West in Bradenton
- Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch
- Palmetto Library, 923 6th Street West in Palmetto
- Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 US Highway 301 in Ellenton
- West Manatee Fire & Rescue Administration, 6417 3rd Avenue West in Bradenton
ABSENTEE/VOTE-BY-MAIL: If you don’t want to show up anywhere, request a ballot to be mailed to your home. You fill out your ballot, sign it, stamp it and send it off to the Supervisor of Elections office.
Pros: No lines. You can vote in just your underwear, though a robe might be a good idea for the walk to the mailbox. Cons: No one’s around to give you an “I voted” sticker. You have to find a stamp.
The deadline to request a ballot is Nov. 2. Your ballot MUST be received at the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. A Nov. 8 postmark won’t help you, unless you have a lightning fast mail carrier. Sarasota County voters can request an absentee ballot here. Manatee County voters, go here.
While the presidential race has dominated most conversations about the upcoming election, don’t forget that a variety of positions are up for grabs. There are U.S. and state senators and representatives, charter review and hospital board seats, state supreme and appellate judges. Possible constitutional amendments range from solar energy to medical marijuana to tax exemptions for certain citizens.
Know what you’re eligible to vote for and do some research. Request your Sarasota County sample ballot here. Manatee County voters, get your sample ballot here.
