Feb. 7 the voter registration deadline for March 8 referendums on school district millage and Single-Member Districts repeal

Supervisor of elections explains how people can register

Image from the Florida Department of State

Monday, Feb. 7, is the deadline to register to vote in the March 8 Sarasota County School District Millage Referendum and County Charter Referendum, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner is reminding county residents.

“New paper voter registration applications must be completed, signed and returned in person to an elections office or postmarked” by Feb. 7, Turner emphasized in a news release. They also may be submitted electronically through RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 7, Turner added.

Paper applications are available at all three elections offices in the county — in Sarasota, Venice and North Port — and at public libraries, military recruitment offices, and public assistance offices, the release points out. Additionally, they may be downloaded at SarasotaVotes.gov.

Further, the release says, applications may be submitted through a tax collector’s office that issues Florida driver’s licenses or Florida ID cards.

Turner also recommended the following: “Voters should confirm their voter eligibility and that their registration information is current before the February 7 deadline.” Voters may go to SarasotaVotes.gov and click on the “My Voter Status” quick link to check voter information and status, the release explains.

This is a section of the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office website that people can use to check their voter registration information. Image courtesy Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner

Updates to a voter’s record may be made as follows, the release notes:

  • Residence address changes within the state may be made on a voter registration application or other signed written notice, or by phone or electronic means, in which case the voter must provide his or her date of birth and the last four digits of his or her Social Security number, Florida Driver License number or Florida ID card number. Address changes within the state may be made any time prior to voting.
  • Name changes must be submitted on a Florida Voter Registration Application any time prior to voting, the release stresses.
  • Signature updates must be submitted on a Florida Voter Registration Application and, for the purpose of verifying a signature on a vote-by-mail ballot certificate, must be received by the supervisor of elections before the voter’s ballot is received.

For more information or assistance, voters may call the elections office at 941-861-8619 or visit SarasotaVotes.gov.