Sarasota Election 2020 Update: Voters ‘Happy To Make A Difference

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Voter turnout at the polls in Sarasota County on Election Day was strong, voters and volunteers said.

Just two days before Election Day, Sarasota County hit 64 percent voter turnout. By the time early voting ended on Sunday, about 153,000 county residents had mailed in their ballots and another 88,000 voted early.

And the office expected an enthusiastic turnout Tuesday. By 9 a.m., more than 10,000 voters had cast their ballot in Sarasota County.

“Election Day is going well. Enthusiasm is high, and voters are casting their ballots at their polling locations today until 7 p.m.,” said Rachel Denton, communications and voter outreach manager for the Sarasota Supervisor of Elections.

Ernestine Taylor, the clerk at the Tri-Par Recreation Center, located at 5101 Bel-Air Ave. in Sarasota, said, “It’s been a really great turnout. This morning was especially great. We’ve never had lines this long.”

She said about 20 voters were in line before the polls even opened at 7 a.m. This is unheard of in their community, she added. “Usually, it’s spread out throughout the day. I think they just wanted to make sure their vote counted.”

At the Robert Taylor Community Complex, located at 1845 34th Street in Sarasota, lines formed early said Helen James, president of the Suncoast Women of Action non-partisan organization.

“They were lined up way before 7 a.m.,” she said. “By 9 (a.m.) they slowed down. It’s perked up at different points throughout the day, but it’s been continual.”

The mood has been upbeat all day, James added. “Everyone here today has been so happy to vote. They’re so happy to be a part of it. They’re happy to make a difference.”

Karen Bastis, a volunteer with the Democratic Party, said there has been “a steady stream” of voters at Robert Taylor throughout Election Day.

“It’s slowed since this morning, but it’s been steady,” she said.”

Over the past 14 days, she and other volunteers from her party have volunteered every day at early voting sites. Turnout for early voting was significant, she said, which likely means less people are coming out on Election Day. She also said she’s seen a diverse group of voters coming out, as long as many first-time voters.