Primary Election - August 20, 2024

It's too late to return your Vote-By-Mail ballot in the mail.  But you have options:

1. Deposit your ballot in the secure lockbox at the Supervisor of Elections at 600 301 Blvd. West, Bradenton, FL 34205: 

  - Monday, August 19 during normal business hours 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, or

  - Tuesday, August 20 before 7:00 PM.

2. Vote in-person Tuesday, August 20, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at your local polling place.

Your polling place has changed if you live in:

Precinct 211, Braden Area Convention Center

Moving to:

The Source Church

3607 US 301, Ellenton, FL 34222

Precinct 227, Plantation Village West, Rec Hall

Moving to: 

Pescara Lake Community Center

570 57th  Ave W., Bradenton

Precinct 423, IMG Academy – Golf Club

Moving to: 

SCF Library & Learning Center – Bldg. 3

5840 26th  St W., Bradenton

Precinct 501, River Strand Golf and Country Club

Moving to: 

Heritage Harbour Golf & Eatery

8000 Stone Harbour Loop., Bradenton

Precinct 505, Waterlefe Golf Club

Moving to:

Christ Presbyterian Church

515 Upper Manatee River Rd., Bradenton

Precinct 513, Harvest United Methodist Church

Moving to:

The Catholic Chapel

7704 CR 675, Lakewood Ranch

Precinct 521, Harvest United Methodist Church

Moving to:

Lakewood Ranch Library

16410 Rangeland Pkwy, Lakewood Ranch

Eight locations in Manatee:

• Braden River Library
• G T Bray Park
• Lakewood Ranch Library
• Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
• Palmetto Library
• Parrish Fire District Station #2
• Rocky Bluff Library
• Supervisor of Elections Office

Dates:   Monday, October 21, 2024 through Saturday, November 2, 2024
Hours:  8:30 am to 6:30 pm daily 

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE NO

Changes school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan beginning in the 2026 election cycle. It is a Florida State Legislature initiative.

MANATEE DEMS: If this passes, school board races could become more politicized. Designating party affiliation for these races would also create a closed primary system in which non-affiliated voters could not participate.   More about Amendment 1 from VOTE411.org.

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE NO 

Establishes a state constitutional right to hunt and fish. This amendment is a Florida State Legislature initiative.

MANATEE DEMS: Since 2002, the Florida has a statute protecting the right to hunt and fish under the of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This amendment would remove the commission’s authority to manage wildlife populations. Managing wildlife populations would then be left to hunters and sport fishermen, who might return to traditional methods that have been prohibited such as steel traps, spearfishing and gill nets. . More about Amendment 2 from VOTE411.org

 Manatee Dems Recommend: VOTE YES

Legalize marijuana for adults 21 years old and older. This amendment is a citizen initiative. 

MANATEE DEMS: If passed, Floridians over the age of 21 will be able to possess up to three ounces of marijuana for non-medical personal use. Thirty seven states have passed similar laws, reporting tax revenues up to $431.3 million annually. Marijuana, however, is still illegal at the federal level, which means it is still not allowed on federal land or college campuses that receive federal funding, no matter what the state statute says. Amendment 3 from VOTE411.org.

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE YES 

Provides a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability, which is estimated to be around 24 weeks, or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment is a citizen initiative.

MANATEE DEMS: If passed, women would have the right to seek an abortion in Florida up to the point of fetal viability. If it does not pass, a woman may only seek an abortion up to the sixth week of gestation, before most women know they are pregnant. Opponents claim the amendment is too vague and would lead to an unregulated abortion industry. However, the non-partisan League of Women Voters of Florida says, “All Floridians deserve the freedom to make personal medical decisions, free of government intrusion.” More about Amendment 4 from VOTE411.org.

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE NO 

Provide for an annual inflation adjustment for the value of the homestead property tax exemption. This amendment is a Florida State Legislature initiative.

Creates an annual inflation adjustment on the amount that is tax-exempt from a homeowner’s primary residence homestead exemption, reducing revenue for local communities by an estimated $111 million annually by 2029.

MANATEE DEMS: If passed, the amendment would increase tax savings for homeowners, but reduce tax revenue for cities and counties by millions of dollars. The effect would be cuts in funding for community programs and services like public safety workers, parks and sanitation collection. More on Amendment 5 from VOTE411.org.

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE NO 

Repeal a constitutional provision providing public campaign financing for candidates who agree to spending limits. This amendment is a Florida State Legislature initiative.

MANATEE DEMS: If passed, the amendment would remove current campaign financing and spending limits for publicly funded candidates for governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture. If passed, it would give more political power to corporations and wealthy individuals and candidates by repealing the public financing option available for state candidate campaigns passed by voters in 1998. More on Amendment6 from VOTE411.org.

Florida Supreme Court justices and appeals court judges are placed on the ballot in nonpartisan elections every six years. A “Yes” vote means you want the judge or justice to remain on the court for another six-year term. A “No” vote means you want the judge or justice to be removed from the court.  If most voters say yes, they can stay in place. If most voters say no, the current governor has to appoint a replacement.

Learn more at Vote411.org.

Manatee Dems recommend Vote No on the retention of these State Supreme Court Justices:

Justice Renatha Francis - Information from BallotPedia

Justice Meredith Sasso - Information from Ballotpedia

Manatee Dems recommend Vote No on the retention of these Second District Court of Appeal Judges:

 Judge Anthony K. Black 

 Judge Edward C. LaRose

 Judge Susan H. Rothstein-Youakim

Information on Second District Court of Appeal Judges from BallotPedia

Find your polling place at VoteManatee.gov-Where Do I Vote?

On Nov. 5 you must vote where you are registered.  Check the address where you are registered and your polling place at VoteManatee.gov-Am I Registered?

You can take our Voter Guide to the polls if you want.

Contact RideShare2Vote.com if you need a ride.  Reserve online or call 888-977-2250.  They would like at least two hours notice.

Twelve Manatee polling places have changed this year.  Scroll down to see if yours has changed.

Chris Wetherington, Chair

Rob Usher, Acting `Vice Chair

Bev Pannee, Secretary

Tina Shope, Treasurer

Florence Shelton-Clark, State Committeewoman

Rev. James Golden, State Committeeman

Candidate Support, Karen Curlin 

Communications, Wil Clapper

Data Team, George Rahal

Office Operations, Edie Williams

Volunteer Coordination, Ken Handelman

Voter Protection, Lew Wasserman and Phyllis Myers

Fundraising and Special Projects, Robin Sathan

Canvassing Coordinator, Brett Thomas

Phone Bank Team, Laurie Cusick

District 1 Precinct Coordinator, Randi Sathan

District 2 Precinct Coordinators, Deb Pierce and Bob Fine

District 3 Precinct Coordinators, Tim and Kate Eiseler

District 4 Precinct Coordinator, Gretchen Friend-Jones

District 5 Precinct Coordinators, Rob and Lisa Usher