The following applies to candidates for a seat on a special (community development, conservation, improvement, or park and recreation) district.
Filing and qualifying for these 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.
The qualifying period for these offices is noon on Monday, June 10, 2024, to noon on Friday, June 14, 2024.
Candidates must:
- Be an elector (registered voter) of Sarasota County
- Reside within the designated district
- DS-DE 9 - Appointment of campaign treasurer and designation of campaign depository for candidates
or Sar-C1 - Affidavit of intent for special district candidates
This is the first form to be filed, designating the office for which the candidate is running, appointing a treasurer and designating a depository. It must be filed before any contributions are received, any expenditures are made, or any signatures are obtained on a candidate petition. Sar-C1 is filed in lieu of DS-DE 9 when a special district candidate will not accept campaign donations and will have no campaign expenses other than the candidate filing fee or the petition signature verification fee.
- DS-DE 84 - Statement of candidate
Form stating that the candidate has been provided access to read and understand the requirements of Chapter 106, Florida Statutes. This form must be filed within 10 days of filing DS-DE 9.
- DS-DE 302NP - Candidate oath, nonpartisan office
Submitted during the qualification period. Be sure to print or type your name as you wish it to appear on the ballot; name may not be changed after the end of qualifying.
- Form 1 - Statement of Financial Interests
Filed electronically with the Florida Commission on Ethics; submit proof of filing to the supervisor of elections office during qualification. Beginning January 1, 2024, anyone wishing to file a 2023 Form 6 or a 2023 Form 1 for qualifying purposes must be registered in the Electronic Financial Disclosure Management System.
- Sar-C2 - Affidavit of freeholder status
Form affirming the candidate's status as a qualified elector and resident of the special district. Required for the Holiday Park Park and Recreation District, Tri-Par Estates Park and Recreation District, and West Villages Improvement District. Submitted during the qualification period.
A candidate may qualify to have his or her name placed on the ballot by paying the qualifying fee. A person paying the qualifying fee is not required to collect petitions.
The qualifying fee for candidates seeking special district office is $25.
A candidate may qualify to have his or her name placed on the ballot by means of the petition process. A person qualifying by this process is not required to pay the qualifying fee.
Special district candidates must obtain the signatures of at least 25 registered voters of the geographical area represented by the district sought.
Candidates are required to use form DS-DE 104 - Candidate Petition to obtain signatures of registered voters. Signed petitions for verification must be submitted to the supervisor of elections no less than 28 days prior to the first day of candidate qualifying.
There is a fee of 10 cents per signature to be paid in advance to the supervisor of elections for the cost of verifying the signatures. If the candidate cannot pay this fee without imposing an undue burden on the candidate’s resources, the candidate may file DS-DE 19A - Affidavit of Undue Burden with the supervisor of elections to have the fee waived.