Nearly half of voters in Sarasota, Manatee counties cast ballots before Election Day

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Nearly half of voters in Sarasota and Manatee counties cast their ballots before Election Day, according to new numbers released today.In Sarasota County, early voting and vote-by-mail ballots add up to 46% of registered voters. That is more than 150,000 ballots cast before the polls opened this morning.Sarasota, Manatee voters turn out as Florida polls stay open until 7 p.m.In Manatee County, early and mail-in ballots total 42% of turnout, or about 122,000 votes.Election workers said in-person voting today will push those turnout numbers higher.