With Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, the Santa Barbara County Elections Office is urging registered voters to complete and return their Vote-by-Mail ballots as quickly as possible. All registered voters in California received an official Vote-by-Mail ballot in early October.
To ensure ballots are processed smoothly, the county advises voters to follow specific steps before returning their ballots. Voters must complete all selections on their ballot, seal it inside the provided return envelope, and sign the return envelope. The signature is a mandatory requirement and will be compared against the signature on file with the voter's registration record to verify the ballot's authenticity.
Several convenient options are available for returning completed ballots. Official ballot drop boxes are situated throughout Santa Barbara County, offering a secure way to submit ballots 24 hours a day. These drop boxes will remain open until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. Utilizing a drop box eliminates concerns regarding postal delivery timing or securing a timely postmark. Locations for these drop boxes can be found on SBCVote.com.
Voters also have the option to return their ballot by mail, for which no postage is required. Ballots sent via mail must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3. The county recommends mailing ballots at least seven days prior to Election Day to ensure they are received in time. Alternatively, voters can deliver their completed ballots in person to either of the County Elections Offices or to any designated polling place on Election Day.
After a ballot is returned, it undergoes a secure process. Elections staff receive each ballot, verify the voter’s signature, and prepare it for counting. The County Elections Office offers a behind-the-scenes video that illustrates this journey, showcasing the procedures and safeguards in place to process ballots and ensure every eligible vote is handled securely.
For those who prefer to vote in person, polling places will be open on Election Day, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Both County Elections Offices will also be open during these hours for ballot drop-offs or in-person voting.
The Santa Barbara Elections Main Office is located at 4440-A Calle Real in Santa Barbara, operating Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Maria Elections Branch Office is located at 511 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 134, Santa Maria, with regular hours from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Both offices will also be open on Saturday, October 31, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additional election information, including ballot drop box locations and polling places, can be accessed by visiting SBCVote.com. Voters may also contact the Santa Barbara County Elections Office directly by calling 800-722-8683 for assistance.
