When, Where To Vote In Manatee County On Election Day; Local Candidates, Issues

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Manatee County residents head to the polls Tuesday – Election Day – to vote on a school funding tax referendum. While there is no county commission race, several of the cities and towns are holding local races.

Here’s everything you need to know about voting in the Manatee County this year.

How to Vote in Manatee County

If you’re a registered voter in Florida, there are three ways to vote: by mail, early and in person on Election Day.

If you haven’t already requested a vote-by-mail ballot for the 2021 elections, it’s too late. (Though you can still request a vote-by-mail ballot for 2022.) It's also too late for you to drop your ballot in the mail and expect it to be received in time or to drop it off at early voting locations.

But if you already have a vote-by-mail ballot, there's still time for you to drop it off at the Supervisor of Elections office at 600 301 Blvd. West, Suite 108, Bradenton by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

You can’t drop your ballot off at your precinct on Election Day. You can track your ballot here. Learn more about voting by mail in Manatee County here.

Early voting started Oct. 22 and ended in Manatee County Saturday.

Those voting in person on Election Day must do so at their assigned voting location. Find your voting precinct here. All precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To vote in person, you must bring a valid ID with your name, photo and signature. Acceptable forms of ID include a Florida driver’s license, a Florida ID card, a U.S. passport, a debit or credit card, a military ID, student ID, a retirement center ID, a public assistance ID, a Florida concealed-weapon license ID, veteran health ID cards or a government-issued employee ID.

Manatee County Issues, Candidates

All county voters will consider renewing a School Board of Manatee County school funding tax referendum. The 1-Mill Referendum originally passed in 2018 and voters will select yes or no to continue this 1 mill tax.

Its renewal will primarily be used to pay teachers’ salaries, increase instructional time, and expand career, technical, STEM, and art programs, according to the district’s website.

Holmes Beach voters will choose three city commission members from five candidates: first-time candidate Renee Ferguson, former commissioners John A. Monetti and Pat Morton, and incumbents Terry W. Schaefer and Carol Soustek.

Residents will also consider a right-of-way land swap referendum to vacate a 2,500 square feet right-of-way at 104 34th Street in exchange for 2,911 square feet of beachfront property.

City of Bradenton Beach residents will elect a mayor, choosing between incumbent John Chappie and contender David Galuszka. They’ll also consider a city charter amendment eliminating term limits, while requiring each term to last two years.

In Anna Maria, incumbents Carol Carter and Jonathan Crane are running unopposed and have retained their city commission seats.

In the town of Longboat Key, residents will consider a referendum that will determine the residential density of property in the Buttonwood Harbour neighborhood.

The owner of 597 Buttonwood Drive is seeking permission to increase the density from office-institutional uses, which allows no density, to R-3SF zoning, which will allow a maximum of three residential units to be built on the land. The owner plans to only build two residential units on the property.

Voters within the Trailer Estates Fire District will also vote to dissolve the district effective Sept. 30, 2022.