‘Biggest election in history.’ Manatee County sets new voter turnout record in 2024

Manatee County broke its voter turnout record in Tuesday’s presidential election, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Voters cast 230,887 ballots in 2024, up from 218,317 in 2020’s presidential election, which set the previous record. Local voters helped decide the race for president, local mayors, Manatee County Commission seats and statewide referendums.

“This was Manatee County’s biggest election in history, accomplished despite the impact of two major hurricanes that affected our staff, our vendors, and our voters, with five polling locations impacted as well,” said Supervisor of Elections James Satcher.

The record 81.9% turnout comes after Hurricanes Helene and Milton displaced some voters and damaged five polling locations. Manatee voters set the previous record in 2020 when 79.6% of the county’s registered voters cast a ballot.

More voters chose to vote in person this year. Voters cast 102,420 early ballots in 2024, up from 72,473 in 2020.

But fewer voters chose to vote by mail. Voters cast 70,552 vote-by-mail ballots in 2024, down from 105,141 in 2020.

“The resilience of our Manatee residents was on full display, and I am incredibly grateful to our team of office staff and poll workers, many of whom were without power for days yet remained dedicated to ensuring every vote was counted,” Satcher said.