Primary elections brought the heat and the votes

Knights of Columbus had a new garden this election day: one full of candidate yard signs, with a few party tents and decorated cars thrown in for good measure. 

"It's just so patriotic. I've met so many wonderful people. It's all about just doing your civic duty and I love it," said Cade Reddy, Republican Party of Sarasota County campaigner. 

The primary was 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Sarasota County. Multiple precincts were accompanied by campaigners for local and state candidates, with groups like the Sarasota County Republicans and Democrats providing pamphlets, voters’ guides and information for incoming voters. 

Unlike the general election, primary elections usually have a smaller turnout of voters. The county saw a 33.25% voter turnout in Tuesday's election, compared to the last midterm's general election, which saw 62.10% turnout. 

“We’re taught that it’s our civic duty to get out and vote, but most people think that this is at the general election in November,” said Lisa Roulet, Vic Rohe State Senate campaigner at Beneva Christian Church. “What they don’t realize is that in August, that’s where you get to choose within your party. You get to fine tune which candidate you want.” 

Voters had a variety of different concerns, with many focusing on the school board.

"The main thing for me that I've been looking at is school board things. I know like (Jimmy) Glover (Megan) Tennimon and (Beth) Mayberry, those are three for the school board that I was interested in looking at," Wynona Dean said. 

Michelle Sizzler had different focus points. 

"How laws are enacted, how finances are spent and then also looking to see how the land is taken care of from developers to agriculture," Sizzler said. 

Voters like Lee and Maudy Paden walked out of the precincts proudly placing their “I Voted” stickers on their shirts, saying it gives others a silent reminder for people to go vote.