Lakewood Ranch Town Hall to be early voting location

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall will be an early voting location starting with the primary election in 2014. 

Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey and Mike Bennett, Manatee County supervisor of elections, recently met to discuss the issue, which had been debated for some time. 

Rey has assured that clubs and others who use Town Hall will not be displaced.

Previously, East County voters had to drive to the Supervisor of Elections on 301 Boulevard for early voting. 

"The voters in Lakewood Ranch have been asking for an early voting location in mid-county and this will serve as one of the few that will be in place for next year's election," Bennett said. 

Town Hall will also be used as a polling place on the day of the primary vote and on election day in 2014. 

Bennett said the county will continue to expand early voting locations as a result of a 2012 law that expands early voting location options.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].