Sarasota County Primary Elections 2024: Candidates, How To Vote

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Sarasota County voters will decide on the Democratic and Republican nominees for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representative races in Tuesday’s primary election, along with local contests.

All polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Be sure to bring a photo ID with you if you vote in person. (See more information on how to find your polling place or track your mail-in ballot below.)

A number of local races will be considered, as well. Republicans will choose their party's candidates in one Sarasota County Commission race and four Sarasota County Hospital Board races, while all voters in District 2 and 3 will decide on school board members.

A sample ballot for the primary can be found here.

The following candidates are on the ballot Tuesday:

Democrats Only:

United States Senator:
Stanley Campbell

• Rod Joseph
• Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
• Brian Rush

Representative in Congress, District 17:

• Manny Lopez
• Matthew Montavon

Republicans Only

United States Senator:

• John S. Columbus
• Keith Gross
• Rick Scott

Sarasota County Commission, District 3:

• Tom Knight
• Neil Rainford

Sarasota County Tax Collector:

• Charles Bear
• Mike Moran

Sarasota County Hospital Board At-Large Seat 1:

• Sharon Wetzler DePeters
• Tamzin Rosenwasser

Sarasota County Hospital Board At-Large Seat 2:

• Kevin Cooper
• Stephen Guffanti

Sarasota County Hospital Board At-Large Seat 3:

• Pam Beitlich
• Mary Flynn O’Neill

Sarasota County Hospital Board Central District Seat 1:

• Sarah Lodge
• Tanya Parus

Voters in District 2

Sarasota County School Board Member:

• Karen Rose
• Liz Barker

Voters in District 3

Sarasota County School Board Member:

• Thomas Babicz
• Tom Edwards
• Greg Wood

How to Vote in Sarasota County

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. If you are in line at 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote, but if you arrive at the polling place after 7 p.m., you will not be allowed to vote.

In order to cast your ballot in the 2024 primary election, you’ll need to bring a valid and current photo and signature ID to your polling station.

Acceptable forms of ID in Florida include:

• Florida driver license
• Florida ID card (issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)
• U.S. passport
• Debit or credit card
• Military ID
• Student ID
• Retirement center ID
• Neighborhood association ID
• Public assistance ID
• Veteran health ID (issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Concealed weapon license (issued pursuant to F.S. 790.06)
• Employee ID card issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the federal government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

If your photo ID doesn't contain your signature, an additional ID with your signature is required.

Without proper identification, you may still vote with a provisional ballot, which will later be evaluated by a canvassing board for eligibility.

If you’re not sure where to vote, you can look up your polling station on the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections website.

If you voted by mail, you can track the status of your ballot here.

Voters are welcome to bring a sample ballot to the polling place marked with their choices so there are no delays in voting.

When you arrive at the polls:

1. Check in with your valid and current photo and signature ID.
2. Receive your paper ballot and proceed to a privacy booth.
3. Using the black pen provided, completely fill in the oval next to each of your selections.
4. Review your ballot. If you wish to make changes, request another ballot.
5. If you have any questions, ask a poll worker before you insert the ballot in the scanner. Once a ballot has been accepted, it cannot be retrieved.