Understanding the Primary Election

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Understanding the Primary Election

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Understanding the Primary Election

Florida will hold its primary election on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. The primary precedes the November General Election and is the process by which voters nominate their preferred candidates to run for a variety of elected offices.

While primaries in Florida are closed, meaning only voters who are affiliated with a political party may vote in that party’s primary, the August primary ballot will have something for every voter. All eligible Sarasota County voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote on nonpartisan contests or issues and on universal primary contests (UPCs). In August, these will include nonpartisan Sarasota County School Board Districts 1, 4 and 5 races, and five UPCs – one for State Senate District 22 and four for Sarasota County Hospital Board seats.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars for these important dates and deadlines in advance of the August 23 Primary Election.

Voter Registration Deadline – The deadline to register to be eligible to participate in a coming election is 29 days before the election. The voter registration deadline for the August 23 Primary Election is Monday, July 25.

Party Changes – Political party change requests may be submitted at any time via a Florida Voter Registration Application but must be returned to an elections office in person or postmarked by the July 25 deadline to be effective for the August 23 Primary Election.

Sample Ballots – A voter may access his or her personalized sample ballot at SarasotaVotes.gov by selecting the My Voter Status icon near the top of the page beginning in mid-July.

Vote-by-Mail – A request for a vote-by-mail (absentee) ballot to be mailed to a voter must be received in the elections office no later than 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 13. Request a vote-by-mail ballot here or call 941.861.8618.

Early Voting – Early voting for the August 23 Primary Election begins Saturday, August 13 and runs through Sunday, August 21, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily. For more information, visit the Early Voting page.

If you have any questions about the August 23 Primary Election or about your voter registration status, click on the My Voter Status link or call 941.861.8600.