Early Voting On Schools, Charter Referendums Starts Saturday At 4 Sarasota Area Locations

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Early voting in the March 8 referendum vote takes place in Sarasota County from Saturday through March 6.

Voters in the county will answer “yes” or “no” to two questions. A March 8 sample ballot can be found online here.

The first question asks if Sarasota County Schools should continue its 1 mill per year ad valorem millage from July 1 of this year through June 30, 2026. The funds are used to pay for recruiting and retaining teachers, educational programs, textbooks, technology and other resources.

The second question asks to approve a Sarasota County charter amendment changing how county commissioners are elected. If approved, it would allow voters to vote for candidates in all commission districts, not just the district they live in.

Early Voting in Sarasota County

Four early voting locations will be open daily during this period from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for in-person voting or returning vote-by-mail ballots to a secure drop box, according to the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections website.

The four locations are:

• North Sarasota Public Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota
• Sarasota Elections Office Terrace Building, 101 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota
• Venice Elections Office at the R.L. Anderson Administration Building, 4000 Tamiami Trail S., Room 114, Venice
• North Port Elections Office in Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port

The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections has also announced polling place changes in eight precincts.

Polling Place Changes for March 8

Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner has also announced polling place changes in six precincts, effective immediately, and temporary polling place changes in two precincts, effective only for the March 8 referendum votes.

The six polling place changes are:

• Precincts 135 and 303 (St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church) is moving to Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota
• Precinct 217 (Fruitville Ministry Park) is moving to Sarasota Community Church, 4041 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota
• Precinct 321 (Colonial Baptist Church) is moving to New Life Church, 5800 Tamiami Trail S, Venice
• Precinct 423 (Faith Lutheran Church) is moving to St. Andrew United Church, 6908 Beneva Road, Sarasota
• Precinct 543 (Alameda Isles) is moving to Englewood Sports Complex, 1300 S River Road, Englewood

In addition, the two temporary polling location changes for March 8 only are:

• Precinct 211 (St. Armands Key Lutheran Church), and
• Precinct 213 (Plymouth Harbor), which are moving to Holiday Inn Lido Beach, 233 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota