Early voting in Sarasota County for the August 2026 primary starts Aug. 8 and continues through Aug. 16, with those locations open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“In-person early voting is one of the three ways to vote in Florida and offers convenient days and times for those who prefer to vote in person before Election Day,” Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner said in a prepared statement. “During the early voting period, voters may vote at any early voting site in the county.”
One commission seat and three school board seats will be decided in August
Several key Sarasota County races will be decided during the primary, including three school board seats and the District 2 seat on the Sarasota County Commission.
The District 2 race is a rare open primary between incumbent Mark Smith and fellow Republican
Kristina Sargent.
Democrats and no party affiliation voters registered in District 2 are eligible to vote in the universal primary on Aug. 18.
With none of the three incumbent school board members seeking reelection, the results of that race — traditionally conducted during the primary — may dramatically alter the philosophy of the board.
Although school board races are technically nonpartisan, the two remaining incumbents, Liz Barker and Tom Edwards, are Democrats, while the three not seeking reelection — Bridget Ziegler, Karen Rose and Robyn Marinelli — are Republicans.
Three candidates qualified for the District 1 seat: Heidi Brandt, Teresa Ann DeWitt and Jimmy Glover. Brandt and DeWitt are Republicans.
Frank Dicicco, a Republican, and Megan Tennimon, a Democrat, are vying against each other for the District 4 seat.
Beth Mayberry, a Democrat, and Michelle Pozzie, a Republican, are squaring off for the District 5 seat.
For a complete list of local races and sample ballots, visit sarasotavotes.gov.
For additional information, call 941-861-8619.
Where can you vote early?
Six sites will be open for early voting:
- The Sarasota Elections Office, in the Terrace Building, 2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota
- Venice Elections Office, in the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
- North Port Elections Office, Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port
- North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Boulevard, Sarasota
- Colonia Oaks Park, 5300 Colonial Oaks Boulevard, Sarasota
- Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave, Sarasota
Registered voters must present a current and valid signature/photo ID at the voting site prior to voting.
League of Women Voters hosts voter information fairs
The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County is hosting three family-friendly voter information fairs for the 2026 midterm elections.
The first fair is from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Aug. 8 at the William H. Jervey Jr. Library, 300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice.
That event honors the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and supports the National League of Women Voters goal of activating 8.5 million voters before the midterms.
The fair will include talks on what voters should know prior to election day, voter registration assistance and a review of voter ID requirements.
The second fair will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Shannon Staub Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port.
The third will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 3, at Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota.
Registration is not required.
For more information, visit lwvsrq.org.
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook, and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County early voting for primary races begins Aug. 8
