Pursuant to Florida Public Records Law, Chapter 119, F.S., the supervisor of elections will provide access to certain government records in its custody for the purpose of copying or inspecting at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public records or the custodian's designee, absent an exemption to the contrary. At all times, the custodian or records coordinator shall provide safeguards to protect the content of public records from alteration and to prevent disclosure of those portions of public records that are exempt or confidential, pursuant to Article 1, Section 24 of the State Constitution.
Exemptions
Florida law allows certain persons to request that an agency not publicly disclose specific identification and/or location information contained in its agency records. For more information on these exemptions, please refer to 119.071, 265.605 and 267.17 F.S. or other applicable statute. Eligible persons may submit a Public Records Exemption Request form to the Sarasota County supervisor of elections.
Voter Information as a Public Record
With few exceptions, all voter registration information is public record, including the voter registration applicant's name, address, date of birth, party affiliation, phone number and email address. An applicant's social security number, driver license number or state identification card number, and the source of the voter registration application cannot be released or disclosed to the public under any circumstances, and can only be used for voter registration purposes. Signatures can be viewed but not copied (Section 97.058, Fla Stat).
Procedures for Requesting Access to Public Records
Requests to inspect or copy public records in the custody of the supervisor of elections should be made verbally or in writing to the records custodian, located in the Sarasota County Terrace Building, 101 S. Washington Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236, by phone 941.861.8606 or by fax 941.861.8609, or by email to records@sarasotavotes.gov. Requests will be handled in the order they are received.
Inspection of records may take place at the office where the records are maintained during normal business hours. Records will be made available as quickly as is practical after a request is made.
Please help us to be responsive to your request by asking for documents by title or with sufficient specificity so that we are able to correctly identify the requested records.
Fees for Inspection and Copying of Records
A request for copies of public records will require payment in advance. Cash is acceptable. Checks should be made payable to: Board of County Commissioners.
The supervisor of elections will provide assistance free of charge except when the nature or volume of public records requested to be inspected or copied is such as to require extensive (in excess of 30 minutes) use of information technology resources or clerical or supervisory assistance, or both, including the time it takes to search for the records, remove exempt data, photocopy the record, protect the records during inspection, and re-file the records. The requestor will be informed of the estimated time of completion and an estimate of the cost. A deposit in the amount of the estimated cost will be required to initiate the request.
Media Price List
COPIES COST
Single-Sided copy (8.5” x 11” – 8.5” x 14”) .15
Single-Sided color (8.5” x 11” – 8.5” x 14”) .25
Double-Sided copy (8.5” x 11” – 8.5” x 14”) .20
Double-Sided color (8.5” x 11” – 8.5” x 14”) .30
MAPS
Wall Map (Color Matte Finish) $10.00
Wall Map (Color Glossy Finish) $15.00
Map (Color 11” x 17”) $ 4.00
VOTER INFORMATION
USB Drive $15.00