Early voting begins with a sigh

City of Sarasota and Longboat Key voters can head to the polls today, as early voting begins for the March 10 election. But, initial turnout has been lackluster, according to Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent.

"We’ve had a whopping 16 voters,” Dent said before 9:45 a.m. about the slow start on Longboat and in Sarasota "I just don’t have an explanation other than the fact that neither election has generated too much interest right now."

Registered voters can cast their early ballot from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today through Saturday, at the Supervisor of Elections office downtown and Longboat Key Town Hall for the Longboat election.

“I just don’t get it, because it is important who runs your municipalities,” Dent said.

Sarasota voters are choosing city commissioners for District 2, which includes candidates Liz Alpert, David Morgan and incumbent Eileen Walsh Normile, and District 3, which includes candidates Shelli Freeland Eddie, Matt Wooddall and incumbent Stan Zimmerman. Sitting commissioners
chose the incumbents last year to fill vacancies left by Paul Caragiulo and Shannon Snyder, who ran for County Commission.

Early voting has been on an upward trend in the city, making up 16% of the overall votes in the 2009 municipal election, 19% in 2011 and 25% in the 2013 contest. Overall voter turnout didn’t eclipse 21% for any of those elections, and usually falls between 15% and 20%.

“I just don’t get it, because it is important who runs your municipalities,” Dent said.