Filing and Qualifying for Office

If you are interested in becoming a candidate for office in Sarasota County, see which offices are up for election, and then select from the appropriate category below.

The materials in this section should answer many of the questions you may have about filing and qualifying for elected office; however, this is not a comprehensive list of all legal requirements. Candidates are responsible for following all relevant Florida election laws and local charter requirements that may affect candidate filing or qualifications to run for office.

 

Federal, state, and multi-county office candidates qualify with the Florida Department of State. The Department of State has designated the Division of Elections as the filing or qualifying office for candidates who must qualify with the Department of State. All qualifying items required to be filed with the Department of State shall be filed in hardcopy form with the Division of Elections at its official physical location:

  • Division of Elections
    R.A. Gray Building, Room 316
    500 South Bronough Street
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250

See the qualifying information section of the Florida Division of Elections website to learn more.

 

Local (county and single-county special district) office candidates file and qualify with the Supervisor of Elections. Select among the following categories for requirements and instructions:

Filing and qualifying for the above offices is conducted at any one of our three office locations. Contact us by email Candidates@SarasotaVotes.gov or telephone 941-861-8606 if you have questions.

 

Municipal office candidates file and qualify with the correlating city or town clerk:

  • City of North Port
    City Clerk Heather Faust
    4970 City Hall Blvd, 2nd Floor
    North Port, FL 34286
    941-429-7270
    cityclerk@nortportfl.gov
     
  • City of Sarasota
    City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs
    1565 1st Street, Room 110
    Sarasota, FL 34236
    941-263-6222
    shayla.griggs@sarasotafl.gov
     
  • City of Venice
    City Clerk Kelly Michaels
    401 West Venice Ave
    Venice, FL 34285
    941-822-7390
    kmichaels@venicefl.gov
     
  • Town of Longboat Key
    Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
    501 Bay Isles Road
    Longboat Key, FL 34228
    941-316-1999
    tshinkle@longboatkey.org

 

For additional information, please see frequently asked questions about filing and qualifying for office and the candidate qualifying section of the Division of Elections website.

Ron Turner, Supervisor of Elections, Sarasota County
EMAIL: rturner@sarasotavotes.gov • OFFICE HOURS: M-F, 8:30 AM - 5 PM • MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 4194 Sarasota, FL 34230-4194
SARASOTA OFFICE
Terrace Building
101 S. Washington Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34236

PHONE: (941) 861-8600
FAX: (941) 861-8609
ESPAÑOL: (833) 912-1316

VENICE OFFICE
Robert L. Anderson Administration Center
4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Rm 114
Venice, FL 34293

PHONE: (941) 861-3760
FAX: (941) 861-3770
ESPAÑOL: (833) 912-1316

NORTH PORT OFFICE
Biscayne Plaza
13640 Tamiami Trail
North Port, FL 34287

PHONE: (941) 423-9540
FAX: (941) 423-9256
ESPAÑOL: (833) 912-1316

PLEASE NOTE: Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Florida Statute 668.6076.