If you are interested in becoming a candidate for office in Sarasota County, see which offices are up for election, and then select from the appropriate category below.
The materials in this section should answer many of the questions you may have about filing and qualifying for elected office; however, this is not a comprehensive list of all legal requirements. Candidates are responsible for following all relevant Florida election laws and local charter requirements that may affect candidate filing or qualifications to run for office.
Federal, state, and multi-county office candidates qualify with the Florida Department of State. The Department of State has designated the Division of Elections as the filing or qualifying office for candidates who must qualify with the Department of State. All qualifying items required to be filed with the Department of State shall be filed in hardcopy form with the Division of Elections at its official physical location:
- Division of Elections
R.A. Gray Building, Room 316
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250
See the qualifying information section of the Florida Division of Elections website to learn more.
Local (county and single-county special district) office candidates file and qualify with the Supervisor of Elections. Select among the following categories for requirements and instructions:
Filing and qualifying for the above offices is conducted at any one of our three office locations. Contact us by email Candidates@SarasotaVotes.gov or telephone 941-861-8606 if you have questions.
Municipal office candidates file and qualify with the correlating city or town clerk:
- City of North Port
City Clerk Heather Faust
4970 City Hall Blvd, 2nd Floor
North Port, FL 34286
941-429-7270
cityclerk@nortportfl.gov
- City of Sarasota
City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs
1565 1st Street, Room 110
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-263-6222
shayla.griggs@sarasotafl.gov
- City of Venice
City Clerk Kelly Michaels
401 West Venice Ave
Venice, FL 34285
941-822-7390
kmichaels@venicefl.gov
- Town of Longboat Key
Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
501 Bay Isles Road
Longboat Key, FL 34228
941-316-1999
tshinkle@longboatkey.org
For additional information, please see frequently asked questions about filing and qualifying for office and the candidate qualifying section of the Division of Elections website.