- March 29, 2024
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Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent expects approximately 60% of Sarasota County’s 119,962 registered Republicans to vote in this year’s Florida Republican Primary.
“I don’t think our voters care what happened to the candidates in the three other primaries,” Dent said. “I expect a 55% to 60% turnout because we have really good voters who average an 80% turnout in general elections.”
Dent said she’s optimistic Sarasota County will have a strong turnout.
Voting numbers, so far, Dent says, back up her statements.
The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office is reporting that 3,791 registered Republicans took advantage of early voting through Jan. 24. On the first two days of early voting last weekend, 1,190 voters cast early ballots.
So far, out of 9,055 absentee ballots mailed out at the request of Republican voters, 4,822 absentee ballots have been returned.
“Florida is tied with New York for the third-largest number of electoral votes at 29 votes,” Dent said. “The difference is, Florida is a true swing state, and our voters know how important it is to vote because of that.”
Republican Party of Sarasota County Chairman Joe Gruters thinks turnout this year could surpass 2008 numbers.
“I expect turnout to be very high just because of the nature of the primary and the excitement generated with us being early on in this primary process,” Gruters said.
Gruters also notes that more than 4,000 Sarasotans came out to a rally for Republican candidate Newt Gingrich this week.
Brian Hughes, communications director for the Republican Party of Florida, said he anticipates overall state primary voter turnout to exceed 51% of all registered Republicans in Florida. That would mean 3.9 million registered Florida Republicans could vote in the primary. Hughes said he wouldn’t be surprised if that number hit 4.1 million registered Republican voters.
“Every (primary) contest so far has been at record numbers,” Hughes said. “Absentee and early-voting numbers seem higher than 2008 already.”
Voters can return absentee ballots up to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Early voting continues through Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the county’s three Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Offices:
• Sarasota County Terrace Building, 2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota.
• R.L. Anderson Administration Building, Room 114,4000 Tamiami Trail, Venice.
• Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office, 13640 Tamiami Trail,North Port.
Florida law requires voters to present a photo and signature ID upon entering the polling place. A voter who appears at the polls without a photo and signature ID will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. Because Florida is a closed primary state, only registered Republicans will be eligible to vote in the primary. Voters who have questions may contact the supervisor of elections office at 861-8600 or visit www.SarasotaVotes.com.