Officials from the Manatee and Sarasota counties Supervisor of Elections offices confirmed that 1,070 registered voters on Longboat Key took advantage of early voting last week in the town-wide District 1 preliminary election.

According to statistics presented to the Town Clerk’s office Friday, 316 residents voted in the Manatee County portion of the island and 748 people voted in the Sarasota County portion. There were also 152 returned absentee ballots as of Friday.

Town Clerk Trish Granger said her office was pleasantly surprised with the number of people that came to the polls for early voting.

The commission approved spending $30,000 last month for a weeklong early voting event at Town Hall.

The preliminary election is for District 1 candidates Lynn Larson, Lee Pokoik and incumbent Mayor Lee Rothenberg .

The preliminary election, which will decide which two candidates will move onto the municipal election in March, will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Manatee County residents must go to Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, to cast their vote. And Sarasota County residents must head to Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, to vote.

Remember to bring your picture ID with signature.

To download a sample ballot, click here.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at kschultheis@yourobserver.com.

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