HONORABLE ROBERT (BOB) SWEAT Manatee County Supervisor of Elections (1985 - Present) Served as Bradenton City Councilman (1981 - 1985)

Since taking office as Manatee County Supervisor of Elections in January of 1985, Bob has instituted many new programs:

• He was one of the first Supervisor of Elections in the state of Florida to offer Meals on Wheels residents an opportunity to register and vote by absentee ballot with the help of a Meals on Wheels Volunteer.

• He has also expanded the number of Voter Outreach registration locations, making registering to vote easier and more convenient.

• His dedication to registering new voters has increased the registered voters to over 80% of the eligible population.

Over the years, many new school programs have been developed.

• He regularly visits Manatee County Schools, giving talks and conducting school elections.

• He also participates in the Junior Achievement Program in Manatee County.

• One of the school programs that he is most proud of is the High School Registration Program held in conjunction with local Kiwanis groups.  Over 10,000 high school students have been registered since 1990.

• He was the first supervisor in the State of Florida to implement the popular national Kids Voting Program that educates school-age children about the electoral process and encourages them to participate in government.

Over the years he has worked with many groups and programs such as:

• The Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, the Board of Realtors, the Latin Chamber of Commerce and the NAACP, to not only register voters, but also to encourage voter participation.

• During each election cycle, countywide "Get Out The Vote" Campaigns are scheduled.  Consequently 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. All polling locations are now handicap accessible.

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

• Beginning in July 2005, disability compliant voting equipment is available at every polling location.

Great strides have been made to make voting easier for our senior population and voters with special needs.

• Working with Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) 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 on election day.

• An absentee ballot program is provided to our residents living in nursing facilities or retirement center.

• Special programs are available for people confined to area hospitals and senior centers.  Enlarged sample ballots are available as well as disability equipment.   

  To better serve the needs of the public and candidates, a Public Information Room is available for use during normal office hours. There is a wealth of information available for the public to access:

  1. General voter information

  2. Voting statistics

  3. Past election results

  4. Candidate information

  5. Precinct and jurisdiction maps.

  During his tenure in office, Bob has been a member of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections and is a state certified Supervisor of Elections. He served as the chairman of the association's Continuing Education Committee, during which time he significantly rewrote the certification program and requirements for Supervisors of Elections. He served 14 years on the FSASE Board of Directors, and 11 years on the association's Legislative Committee since his election to office. He served two consecutive terms as Treasurer of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, as well as serving as Vice-President and president-elect. He served as President of the Association for 1994-95.

  Previous Government Experience

  As Bradenton City Councilman ... Served (1981 – 1985)

  Bob served as Fire Commissioner, Council Chaplain, and Police Commissioner, a representative to the Downtown Development Authority and as a representative to the Sarasota-Manatee Area Transportation Board. He was instrumental in restoring professionalism, pride and public awareness in the Bradenton Police Department. He worked for updated equipment and safety procedures in the Bradenton Fire Department, as well as instituting the city's first fire sprinkler ordinance. Bob organized the first children's fingerprinting program in Manatee County, fingerprinting 18,000 children during the first year. He also supported the completion of waterfront development, a citywide bikeway system, the purchase of land to protect the Manatee River and county-wide water supply and the upgrade and completion of the sewer plant and sewer lines.

  Educational Experience

  • Troy State University, Alabama; B.S. Business Administration

  • Manatee Community College, Bradenton, Florida

  • Manatee High School, Bradenton, Florida

  • Manatee County Public Schools