Sarasota County seeing short lines at the polls on Election Day

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Election Day is among us, and the long lines people were anticipating, don’t seem to be there. That’s mostly because turnout was big on the Suncoast for early voting. Before the polls opened on Tuesday, Sarasota County was already at 67% voter turnout, and Manatee County followed close behind at around 63%.

Still, those who didn’t get to vote early in Sarasota County, or chose not to, headed over to their listed precinct and mostly did not face any lines.

At St. Andrews United Church of Christ, about one voter stepped inside every few minutes. By noon, the clerk inside said there were over 250 ballots cast there.

In the parking lot, voters chatted with democratic and republican tents after making their voices heard.

“I think one of the primary issues is immigration and how it effects every state,” said Clyde Huff. “People are coming across the border, and we don’t know where they’re going,” he said.

“It’s our body, it doesn’t belong to the government,” said voter Carter Donovan. “I don’t like the fact that the government has taken away a woman’s right,” she added.

“This is probably the most interesting election in my lifetime with things so very close,” said voter Steven Sims. “I don’t like the idea that things have become so polarized, and violent. I think that caused a lot more people to come out and say, hey, listen, this is what I would like to see,” said Sims.

You still have time to vote! polls close at 7p.m tonight.