How to Vote in the August 18 Primary in Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Image: Barbara Banks
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, local voters will take to the polls to vote in a primary election for candidates ranging from the governor to the local school board. Precincts are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in both Sarasota and Manatee counties; and the winners of the primary election will appear on the general election ballot in November.
Florida is a closed primary state—which means that voters can only vote in a partisan contest if they're a registered member of that political party. Here's what to know before you head out tomorrow.
Sarasota County
Registered Voters at a Glance
- Democrats: 80,594
- Republicans: 162,747
- Other: 85,410
- Total: 328,751
What's on the Ballot?
- City Commission Seats: City of Sarasota voters will choose vote for two of five candidates running for two open at-large City Commission seats. The top three vote-getters will be on the ballot for November's general election.
- Democrat Candidates: Democratic primary voters will vote for their party's candidates for U.S. senate, U.S. House of Representatives for Districts 16 and 17, governor, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture.
- Republican Candidates: Republicans voters will choose their party’s candidates for U.S. senate, U.S. House of Representatives for Districts 16 and 17, governor, chief financial officer, commissioner of agriculture, state senator for District 22, state representative for District 74, Sarasota County commissioner for Districts 2 and 4, and Sarasota Charter Review Board for District 3 and District 5.
- Sarasota County School Board: All voters in Districts 1, 4 and 5 will vote on school board members.
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board: All voters in District 1 will vote on hospital board candidates.
- Charter Review Board: All voters in District 1 will vote on Charter Review Board candidates.
Primary Election Day Voting
- You must vote at your assigned polling location on election day. You can find your precinct and polling location by using the Sarasota Supervisor of Elections' Find My Precinct tool.
- The Supervisor of Elections will notify you by mail prior to election day if your polling location changes. Polling location changes will also be posted on the Supervisor of Elections' website and social media platforms.
- Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. Anyone in line at their assigned polling place at 7 p.m. will have the opportunity to vote.
Where to Vote
You can find your specific precinct and polling location by using the Sarasota Supervisor of Elections' Find My Precinct tool.
Sarasota Elections Office
Terrace Building
2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota
Venice Elections Office
R.L. Anderson Admin. Center
4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
New Location
North Port Elections Office
North Port Village
14277 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port
North Sarasota Library
2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota
Fruitville Library
100 Apex Road, Sarasota
Colonial Oaks Park
5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd, Sarasota
Twin Lakes Park
Community Building
6700 Clark Road, Sarasota
Gulf Gate Library
7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota
Osprey Library
337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Venice Library
300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice
Shannon Staub Library
4675 Career Lane, North Port
Manatee County
Registered Voters at a Glance
- Democrats: 67,299
- Republicans: 141,150
- Other: 74,620
- Total: 283,069
What's on the Ballot?
- Democrat Candidates: Democratic primary voters will vote for their party's candidates for U.S. senate, House representative for District 16, governor and lieutenant governor, chief financial officer, commissioner of agriculture and state senator for District 20.
- Republican Candidates: Republican primary voters will choose their party’s candidates for U.S. senate, House representative for District 16, governor and lieutenant governor, chief financial officer, commissioner of agriculture, county commissioner for Districts 1, 2, 4 and 6, state senator for District 22, and state representatives for District 71 and 72.
- Manatee County School Board: All voters in Districts 2 and 5 will vote on school board members.
Primary Election Day Voting
- Remember to bring a valid, current photo ID with your signature when you go to vote.
- The Supervisor of Elections will notify you by mail prior to election day if your polling location changes. Polling location changes will also be posted on the Supervisor of Elections' website and social media platforms.
- Sixty-seven precincts will be open for Manatee County voters on election day. To find yours, use the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections' Precinct Finder.
