Frederick Bradley voted for Fredd Atkins for Sarasota County Commission District 2."It's a public responsibility to vote probably more so in local than national because this is where you live and it affects your day-to-day life," he said. He sees voting as an important public responsibility. Tom Mclellan has lived in Sarasota for six years."I'm just thinking about everything," he said. He didn't have one particular race that drove him to the polls. The 82-year-old resident said he's voted in every election. Emmanuel Baldwin has lived in Sarasota for 57 years.She didn't like how Crist's campaign attacked Fried, noting that in her opinion that shouldn't be how campaigns were won. She said the primary between Charlie Christ and Nikki Fried. She's been back in the area for the past four years. Robyn Stamm has lived in Sarasota for 12 years, although, she moved away for some time."We have to be aware of what's going on in our local politics and I hope to see a huge turnout," she said. She also voted for Danielle Singleton, Lauren Kurnov and Nora Cietek. She voted for incumbents on the hospital board and not for the medical freedom candidates that did not like mask mandates. Debra Flynt-Garrett said the most important races to her were the races for school board and hospital board.Voter reaction this morning at Precinct 115 in the Robert L. More: Sarasota County's voter turnout is higher than at a similar time in 2018ġ2:15 p.m.
More than 14% of all votes cast so far are by people who do not identify as Republican or Democrat.Īs of 12:30 p.m., unofficial voter turnout is at 28.72%. | Voter turnout flips to Republicans in Sarasota CountyĪccording to the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections site, though Democrats dominated mail-in ballots, Republicans are surging on election day and have retaken the lead by around 4,000 votes. More: Four more Bradenton police officers file complaints against the chief of police 12:30 p.m. More: Publix with outdoor balcony seating opens in Manatee County on State Road 64 "I didn't have that opportunity," Green said. Green, who is from London but has lived in Ohio for 41 years before moving to Florida, said she wanted to vote for Vern Buchanan today to thank him for helping to expedite the process of getting her citizenship. Green, 65, said since she wasn't registered with any party, she could only vote in one race. Jennifer Green wasn't necessarily frustrated when she came out after voting, but she wished there was a public course at the library about how the election process worked. "A lot of people don't come out to vote because they feel so unimportant," Balsam said. DeSantis, she does and it's why she moved here. She said while many people may not agree with Gov. Retired teacher Marilyn Balsam, 76, stopped by to fulfill her civic duty. Balsam just moved to Florida from the Chicago area 8 months ago and is interested to see how the governor's race turns out. It looks like more people are out voting during lunch. Voter reaction from the Elks Lodge #1511 in Bradenton. Sarasota Commission District 2 election: 3 Democrats face off in competitive primary 1:15 p.m. The barrier island is currently in unincorporated Sarasota County, but some residents want the island to become a town.
Visconti wants Siesta Key to incorporate. “She’s very active in the community,” she said, “and I like her demeanor.”
In the County Commission District 2 election, she voted for Lourdes Ramirez, who is her neighbor. Siesta Key resident Loretta Visconti voted at Siesta Key Chapel in mid-morning. More: Mom of 4, two veterans on the ballot for the Manatee School Board District 5 election 1:30 p.m. Manatee County School Board District 2: Election preview She said she’s 38 years old.Ī poll worker working the front entrance said 390 people have voted at the church so far today. Anthony Conrad said he showed up today to vote at Church of Hope in Palmetto due to a “feeling of responsibility.”Ĭonrad also said he likes to think he’s focused on policy, doing his best to ignore what he called “distressing, corrosive” rhetoric from some candidates.Īnother voter declined to give her name but said she thinks social issues such as abortion should be left at the state or congressional level - not trickling down to county discussion.