Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett has announced election day precinct consolidations for the August 18, 2020, primary election. Bennett says the consolidations are necessitated by the fact that many seasoned poll workers are not comfortable working at polling places due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to ensure an experienced clerk at each voting location, a number of precincts needed to be combined. Letters will be mailed this week to all voters affected by these consolidations.

Bennett's office says there has been a significant increase in vote-by-mail requests, and that coupled with the addition of a sixth early voting site, there should be no significant lines on election day. All polling locations will be supplied with hand sanitizer, surface disinfectant, gloves and face masks.  All pens will be sanitized after each use, and surfaces will be disinfected frequently.  Voters may also bring their own pens and are asked to wear a face mask and practice social distancing while at the voting location.  All polling locations are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on election day.

Bennett says he hopes that the consolidations are temporary and that conditions will improve by November. To see the locations, dates and hours for early voting, click here.

Precinct consolidations:

Terra Ceia VIA Club (103) will vote at Palmetto Civic Association (107)

Piney Point Homeowners (111) will vote at Family of God United Methodist Church (201)

Colony Cove (125) will vote at New Hope Baptist Church (127)

Coach House MHP (203) will vote at Family of God United Methodist Church (201)

Ellenton United Methodist Church (211) will vote at Bradenton Area Convention Center (207)