Sarasota residents report to the polls

Residents in precincts 205 and 207 reported to the polls at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium Tuesday to have their say in picking a candidate in the Presidential Preference Primary. 

The polling place was void of any active supporters but overnight signs appeared in the grass lining Tamiami Trail. Deputy Election Official Leni Richardson said red bus drove circles around the auditorium in support of Bernie Sanders earlier in the day. 

“There was a big, red bus that said ‘Nurses for Bernie’ but that’s been the most exciting thing to happen all day,” Richardson said.  

Richardson described the turnout as steady but many of the voters in precinct 205 and 207 submitted their ballots earlier in the mail. 

“There were two people waiting outside at 7 a.m. when we opened up,” Richardson said. “That’s a first for me since I’ve been working elections.” 

As of March 15 the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections office reported 88,339 Democrats and 123,281 Republicans

registered to vote with 76,644 registered as Other.