March 10, 2022 —

In the March 8 referendum, Sarasota voters once more voted for the single-member district system of electing County Commissioners. Unofficial results show the amendment to end single-member districts was not approved, with 57.2% of voters opposing the proposal. The majority of residents favored just what they voted for in 2018 and in results from the Sarasota County’s 2021 Citizen Opinion Survey. Three strikes – countywide elections are out.

February 26, 2022 —

On March 8, Sarasota County is holding a referendum on how residents vote for County Commissioners.

Item 2 asks if you want to repeal the current single-member district system – where only district residents vote for their commissioner – and return to countywide voting – where all County residents vote for all commissioners.

A NO vote will retain single-member districts. A YES vote will return to countywide voting for all commissioners.

In an SKA survey on this issue of those responding, 84% favored voting NO, 11% favored voting Yes, and 5% were undecided.

Read the following articles for more discussion of this issue.

Herald-Tribune, February 26, 2022, Anne Snabes: Single-member up for vote

Sarasota News Leader, February 18, 2022, Rachel Brown Hackney: Political Action Committee linked to Republican activists in Tallahassee trying to sway Sarasota County voters

Sarasota News Leader, Jan 28, 2022, Rachel Brown Hackney:  Sample ballot for March 8 Special Election available on Supervisor of Elections Office website 

On March 8, Sarasota County will hold referendums for School District millage and County Commission elections

• Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, February 7
• Early Voting: Saturday, February 26 – Sunday, March 6, 8:30-4:30 daily
• Deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed: 5 p.m., Saturday, February 26
• Polling location changes
• View the School District Millage Referendum Resolution 
• View the County Charter Referendum Ordinance