Local Government Supervisor of Elections to Retire After 28 Years

BRADENTON -- Supervisor of Elections Bob Sweat is retiring after 28 years on the job. The department is taking applications for the position, which pays approximately $115,000 a year. Sweat reformed the election process when he recently did away with 15 precincts in order to save money, but he warns that proposed legislation to change the Florida primary date may thwart his money-saving efforts.

Voters listed in the eliminated precincts have been notified via letter and the change was advertised in the newspaper ”at least three times.,“ Sweat said. Under the new precincts, Sweat merged the city’s former wards into precincts. The changes may have split ballads. To find out where you vote, click here.

”We want to make sure everyone is informed of the changes,“ Sweat said. ”If everyone is aware of the rules, then elections will be fair for everyone and run more smoothly.“

The Bradenton City Council held a workshop Wednesday to discuss aligning the city elections with those of the rest for the county. Sweat says that doing so could save the city a significant amount of money since he estimates the 2012 primary to cost the county between $350,000 and $375,000. Funding the November election will be an expenditure of approximately half a million dollars.

”2012 is a big election year,“ said Sweat. ”That’s why we want to get these policies in place to save money.“

Sweat wants to implement several new plans before he retires in January of 2013. First he would eliminate runoff elections, which occur when all candidates are placed on the initial ballot and all voters are allowed to participate in the vote. They are different from primaries and generally occur within a political party. Run-offs can cost the city up to $50,000 because of the costs of the second "runoff vote," which is nearly always required when the top vote getter doesn't get a majority. Officials will decide whether to hold a referendum to eliminate them completely before the primary in August.

As part of the proposed reformation, the Manatee Supervisor of Elections would also mandate specific deadlines for the filing of candidates who to wish to run for election. The deadline would fall at the beginning of June for the August primary, and early September for the 2012 November elections. Of course, all Sweat’s hard work implementing these new policies will be obsolete if state legislature moves the Florida primary from August 14 to August 21. The Legislature switched the primary date from August 28 so it wouldn't conflict with the Republican National Convention, which begins in Tampa on August 27. 

Sweat has advocated reform since taking the position in 1985. 

”For those of us who grew up with you, it’s going to be hard when you retire,“ said councilwoman Marianne Barneby.

Sweat expanded the number of voter outreach registration locations, making registering to vote easier and more convenient. Sweat’s dedication to registering new voters has increased the registered voters to over 80 percent of the eligible population.

”We are going to miss you,“ said councilman Gene Gallo. ”You’ve brought the supervisor of elections office out of the dark ages.“

Sweat regularly visits Manatee County Schools, giving talks and conducting school elections. Sweat has registered over 10,000 students since 1990 through his High School Registration Program. 

During his tenure, the number of registered voters has increased from 108,018 to over 200,000. This increase has necessitated an increase in the number of polling locations from 63 to 136. 

In November of 1997 he replaced the antiquated Data Vote voting system With the Accu-Vote 2000 Voting System. This voting system upgrade has increased the elections office’s ability to handle the needs of Manatee County’s growing electorate. 

Sweat was one of the first Supervisors of Elections in the state of Florida to offer Meals on Wheels residents an opportunity to register and vote by absentee ballot. Working with Manatee County Area Transit, a Ride Free on Election Day program was started. Early voting is available prior to each election for the convenience of voters unable to go to the polls and absentee ballots are now distributed to nursing and retirement facilities.

In the near future, Sweat hopes to see electronic devices that scan a driver’s license determining voter precinct within 9 seconds. Soon they will have ”ballot on demand“ where a ballot doesn’t print out until the driver’s license is scanned, thus becoming more environmentally friendly and cost efficient. 

So far, only two people have filed to run for the Supervisor of Elections position.