SARASOTA — City voters have decided to change the date of their municipal elections.

More than 60 percent of voters in Tuesday’s general election supported the amendment to move Sarasota City Commission elections from March and May of odd years to August and November of even years to coincide with with federal, state, county and district elections. Current city commissioners will have their terms extended by nearly two years because of the change.

Supporters of the shift say it will increase voter turnout and save taxpayers about $100,000 each election cycle. The move also will increase voter participation from a 15 percent to 23 percent turnout to a 50 percent to 72 percent turnout, proponents say. The date change will also boost turnout among minorities and younger voters, co-chair and former Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell of the nonpartisan Decide the Date campaign has said.