"I've made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point, one of those rare moments in history when the decisions we make now will determine the fate of our nation and the world for decades to come."

Joe Biden

In order to receive a Vote by Mail ballot, you must renew your request after every general election cycle. The cutoff date for the August 20 primary is Thursday August 8 at 5:00 pm.

Note: If you miss the August 8 cutoff you have until October 25 to request Vote by Mail for the general election.

Early voting for the August primary runs August 10 through August 17. Voting hours are 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. Early voting locations are Braden River Library, G T Bray Park, Lakewood Ranch Library, Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, Palmetto Library, Parrish Fire Station #2, Rocky Bluff Library, Supervisor of Elections Office.

The primary election is being held on Tuesday August 20. The polls will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Election 2024 - Special Events and Opportunities

Write and Mail Postcards to Get Out the Vote

Did you know that most voters who have relied on Vote by Mail in past elections don’t know they need to enroll again this election cycle? Hand-address and add a personal note on Manatee Dem postcards with Vote by Mail information. Mail your cards with postage that you donate.

Postcards and address lists must be picked up at our Manatee Dem office. We will contact you with pickup information.

Volunteer to Serve as a Manatee Dems August Primary Early Voting Poll Greeter

No formal training is required. Staff an outdoor table with the Manatee Dems that is a minimum of 150 feet from the polling station. Greet voters and offer slate cards or other information. Choose the location(s) where you would like to serve, then select your shift(s).

Volunteer to Serve as a Poll Watcher, Ballot Curer or Canvas Board Monitor

Poll Watcher:

The volunteer is a credentialed silent observer. The poll watcher notes any potential irregularities or if a citizen is refused a ballot. Training is required

Ballot Curer:

Make phone calls to voters whose ballots were either returned as "undeliverable" or rejected by the Supervisor of Elections. Training is required

Canvas Board Monitor:

This volunteer observes the Canvassing Board, a 3-person panel that tests machine tabulation prior to use and makes final decisions on issues like signature match discrepancies and approval of provisional ballots. Training is required.

Yes on 4 Postcarding Event

Monday, August 26, 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Unitarian Church, 322 15th St. W, Bradenton

Join The Manatee League of Women Voters and Unitarian Universalist Justice Committee writing postcards to encourage voters to "Vote Yes On 4." (Limit government interference into Women's Health Care). Yes on 4 is supplying the postcards, script and postage. All are welcome!

Event Highlights

Manatee LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus

Sunday, August 4, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

3 Keys Brewing and Gastropub, 2505 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton

Attend our Sunday Social. This is a great opportunity to spend time with other Democrats in a relaxed environment. Contact Rob Hall for more information.

All are welcome.

Precincts Team Meeting for District 3

Thursday, August 8, 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Central Library, small meeting room, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd W, Bradenton

The focus of the meeting will be the logistics of maintaining volunteer stations during early voting along with get out the vote strategies. All are welcome.

Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Manatee County

Thursday, August 8, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm .... Online

The Hispanic Democratic Caucus will conduct its August business meeting online. The mission of the caucus is to bring Hispanics together to actively support and promote causes that benefit the Latino community. New members are always welcome.

Lakewood Ranch Democratic Club

Monday, August 12, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm .... Online

Meeting topic: Fascism at our Doorstep: From Project 2025 to Defunding Embracing our Differences.

Guest speaker at our August meeting will be Dr. Dale Anderson, retired physician

and recent president of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota. Dr. Anderson will provide an overview of the authoritarian assault on our democracy from the highest office to local politics.

Manatee Democratic Progressive Caucus

Wednesday, August 14, 6:00 pm .... Conference Call

The agenda includes an affordable housing update. There are many people desperate to find a "room" or "apartment" they can afford. A number of these people have been "matched" over the years. By combining their incomes, they have been able to cover rent. If you would like to share a home or have a home to share, please email vrain1964@gmail.com for the meeting link.

Manatee LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus

Wednesday, August 21, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Manatee County Democratic HQ, 435 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton and Online

Our guest speaker, Phil Frankel, will discuss the threat to democracy posed by Project 2025. Contact manateelgbtqdems@gmail.com to request link if you wish to attend virtually.

Manatee County Democratic Black Caucus

Thursday, August 22, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm .... Online

The purpose of the Manatee County Democratic Black Caucus is to ensure that Black voters are involved, engaged, elected and active participants in the democratic process. For more information contact susieb.copeland@gmail.com

Precincts Team Meeting for Districts 4 and 5

Saturday, August 24, 10:30 am to noon

Lakewood Ranch Public Library, Rm A, 16410 Rangeland Pkwy, Lakewood Ranch

Join us to discuss neighborhood networking strategies, goals and action items preparing us for the 2024 election. Open to all.

Manatee Democratic Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 27, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Manatee County Democratic HQ, 435 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton

Democrats are welcome at the monthly business meeting of the DEC. If you are not a DEC member, please sign up to attend.

Note: The Democratic Women's Club, the Manatee Democratic Club, the AMI and West Manatee Democratic Club and the Longboat Key Democratic Club will not be holding meetings in August.

Become a Voter Registration Tabling and Canvassing Volunteer

In this election year, it is critical that we be out in the community encouraging people to register to vote and showing them how it is done. This is essential to our election success in 2024. We work as a team. Training is provided.

Become an Office Volunteer

There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities at our Party Headquarters. There is phone work, greeting walk-ins, doing data entry, helping with petition drives and preparing packets for tabling events and distribution. You can make your contribution to this critical 2024 election season by donating only a couple of hours a week.

Call Manatee Democrats for Vote by Mail

Make calls from home or at our Manatee Dem office. All you need is a phone and a laptop, tablet or PC at home, or come to our headquarters where we have all that is required. (See office location and hours below.)

Additional Information

Democratic Party Headquarters is located at 435 Cortez Rd.

Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Sign Up for the Mailing List

If you are not currently on our mailing list and would like to keep up with all that is happening with the Manatee Democrats, sign up for our mailing list HERE.

Donate to the Manatee County Democrats

Manatee County Democratic Party

435 Cortez Road W, Bradenton Fl 34207

941-301-4336 info@manateecountydemocrats.com

ManateeCountyDemocrats.com