Early voting begins in Manatee County. Here’s how to cast your 2024 primary ballot

Early voting has begun in Manatee County for the August 2024 primary election.

Manatee County voters can now cast their ballots in several local races, including for county property appraiser and school board seats.

Republicans and Democrats can also select their preferred party candidates in congressional races for the general election on November 5. Republicans who live in Districts 1, 3 or 5 can select their preferred candidate for county commission. And all Republicans can vote in the District 7 county commission race and Supervisor of Elections race.

Here’s everything you need to know to participate in early voting.

Early voting hours and locations in Manatee County

This year, there are eight early voting locations available around Manatee County and the Bradenton area.

Residents must already be registered to vote to participate in early voting. Registered voters can cast a ballot at any of the early voting locations. All that’s required is a valid and current ID with a photo and signature.

Hours: All early voting locations are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily from Saturday, August 10 until Saturday, August 17.

Locations:

• Bradenton River Library , 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton
• G.T. Bray Park , 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton
• Lakewood Ranch Library , 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch
• Lakewood Ranch Town Hall , 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
• Palmetto Library , 923 Sixth St. W., Palmetto

• Parrish Fire Dist Station #2 , 3804 N. Rye Road, Parrish

• Rocky Bluff Library , 6750 U.S. 301, Ellenton

• Supervisor of Elections Office , 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton

Other voting options

Election Day voting: Residents who do not participate in early voting can vote at their designated precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, August 20.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To find your precinct and view a sample ballot, visit VoteManatee.com .

Vote-by-mail: The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot in the primary election has passed. Voters that have a vote-by-mail ballot should mail back their ballots at least one week before Election Day, according to the Florida Division of Elections. In this case, that’s Tuesday, August 13.

Vote-by-mail ballots can also be returned in person via the ballot drop-off slot at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. August 20.

The deadline to register to vote in the primary election has passed. But residents have until October 7 to register in time to vote in the general election on Nov. 5. Register to vote at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov .

Primary voter turnout

As of Tuesday morning, 30,166 votes have been cast in the primary, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office. Over 26,000, or nearly 87%, were vote-by-mail votes, and over 4,000, or 13%, were early voting participants.

Republicans have cast a total of 16,207 votes, Democrats have cast 10,097 votes and other voters have cast 3,862 votes.