The following information has been excerpted from the publication “Vote Sarasota County,” prepared by Ron Turner, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections. For full information about registering to vote and the voting process, refer to “Vote Sarasota County,” contact the Office of Supervisor of Elections (941) 861-8600, or visit the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections’ website.
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections:
101 S. Washington Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 861-8600
4000 Tamiami Trail S.
Venice, FL 34293
(941) 861-3760
WHO CAN REGISTER AND VOTE
A person may become a registered voter if that person is 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the State of Florida and a resident of Sarasota County. (A person who is otherwise qualified may pre-register on or after that person’s 17th birthday and may vote in any election conducted after that person’s 18th birthday.) (See ~ 97.041 Florida Statutes)
HOW TO REGISTER
You must fill out a voter registration application form. Voter registration applications are available at the Supervisor of Elections offices located in the Sarasota County Terrace Building, 101 South Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, and the R. L. Anderson Building, 4000 Tamiami Trail South, Venice. Applications also are available at driver’s license offices, state agencies that provide public assistance, libraries, banks, post offices and many other public locations.
You will be offered the opportunity to apply to register to vote or change your voter registration when you obtain your driver’s license or when you apply for public assistance at state agencies.
A voter registration application is complete if it contains:
- Your name
- Your legal residence address
- Your date of birth
- An indication that you are a citizen of the United States
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
- An indication that you have not been convicted of a felony or that, if convicted, you have had your civil rights restored
Applications may be completed in person to any of the Supervisor of Elections offices or may be returned by mail to P.O. Box 4194, Sarasota, Florida, 34230-4194. Also visit their web site at www.srqelections.com for online registration information.
An indication that you have not been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting or that, if so adjudicated, you have had your right to vote restored
You must sign the oath printed on the form swearing or affirming, under the penalty for false swearing, that the information contained in the registration application is true.
Note: An applicant who fails to designate a political party affiliation will be registered without party affiliation. (See S 97.053 Florida Statutes)
WHEN CAN YOU REGISTER
You can apply to register to vote at any time either by mail or in person. However, the registration books will be closed on the 29th day before each election and will remain closed until after that election. You must be registered for at least 29 days before you can vote in an election. The date your voter registration application is postmarked or hand delivered to the Supervisor of Elections will be your registration date.
When the registration books are closed for an election, voter registration and party changes must be accepted, but only for the purpose of subsequent elections.
(See ~ 97.055 Florida Statutes)
For more information, contact the Office of the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections at Sarasota County Terrace Building, 101 South Washington Boulevard, Sarasota (861-8622).