2024 General Election
Get Out the Vote
Manatee County Voting Information
The 2024 General Election is November 5, but there are many important dates to remember between now and then. For more information on these dates or on anything related to voter registration, vote by mail, sample ballots, or other voting-related issues, please visit VoteManatee.com or call (941) 741-3823.
| October 21 – November 2 |
Early Voting sites are open from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Manatee County has 8 early voting locations:
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| October 24 | 5:00 PM Deadline to request a vote by mail ballot to be mailed to you. You can make a request online or track your vote by mail ballot. |
| November 5 | General Election Polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM. Find your polling place here. All vote-by-mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections by 7:00 PM |
2024 Election Candidate Questionnaires
The Manatee Chamber invited qualified candidates for several local races to respond to questions from the Chamber. These candidate questionnaires are part of our “get out the vote” efforts. The Manatee Chamber does not endorse candidates. We seek to inform our members of important issues and ensure they have easy access to voter information. We provide this information to you so that you have what you need to make your voice heard at the polls. Click here to access the Candidate Q&A.
Manatee Chamber Supports a YES Vote on 7 and 8 on Manatee County Ballots
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has voted to support a YES vote on Manatee County ballot items #7 and #8. We encourage our members to consider voting to support the renewal of the One Mill for our Schools to support our students, teachers, school safety, and more, and to support adding a 6th penny to the Tourism Tax, which is levied when someone stays in a local hotel, vacation rental, Airbnb, or other short-term housing for less than six months and paid primarily by visitors to our area.
YES on #7 – School Board Referendum – Renewal of the One Mill for Our Schools
One Mill Renewal – Recognizing that supporting the education of our children and young people directly impacts our community and enhances our future workforce, the Chamber has supported the One Mill each time it has come before Manatee County voters. The One Mill is working! During the past eight years, the Manatee County School District rose 14 spots in the state’s academic rankings based on student test scores. In 2024, student scores went up in Reading, Math, Writing, Science, and Social Studies – and the district had 24 “A” schools – the largest number of “A” schools since 2012. Teacher recruitment, retention, and pay have improved significantly making our School District more competitive. The One Mill also provides for every student receiving 30 minutes of additional instructional time every day. These are just a few of the important initiatives supported by the One Mill. For more information, please read more on page 7 of the Chamber’s Current magazine and review the impact of the One Mill here.
YARD SIGNS for One Mill Renewal: There are “Vote Yes on 7” yard signs available at both Chamber offices, downtown Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. You are welcome to stop by ASAP to pick up a sign to display at your business or on your personal property.
YES on #8 – Tourist Development Tax Referendum – Add a 6th Penny Tourist Tax
Tourism Tax – The Chamber has supported past increases to the tourism tax as a way to ensure enhancements to infrastructure and amenities – paid for primarily by visitors to our area but enjoyed by everyone, including residents. We support adding the 6th penny to Manatee County’s tourism tax – an increase that has already happened in Sarasota, Pinellas, and Hillsborough. Revenue generated by the tourism tax supports important assets and enhancements like beach renourishments, arts and cultural amenities, piers and docks, recreation and sports facilities, special event venues, and more. For an overview of how an increase in the Tourism Tax benefits Manatee County please click here.