Official Vote by Mail ballots have been sent to all active registered voters in Santa Barbara County, and Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters Joe Holland reminds voters to check their registration status if they have not received a ballot.
In California, the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 8 General Election is Monday, Oct. 24. Registering by this deadline ensures that voters receive all the voting materials they will need. All California residents are eligible to vote as long as they are a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
There are several ways to register to vote:
• Register online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov
• Paper applications can be found at most U.S. Post Offices, or the Department of Motor Vehicles, as well as in County Elections Division offices (locations and regular business hours listed below).
To assist voters in meeting the registration deadline, County Elections Division offices will be open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in addition to regular business hours.
Eligible citizens can check their registration status at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ or call the County Elections Division, 1-800-722-8683. Voters should update their registration if they have moved or changed their name.
If a voter misses the Oct. 24 deadline, eligible citizens may use the conditional voter registration process through Election Day, available only at the County Elections Division offices or a polling place to register to vote and vote. Ballots cast conditionally will be processed once the County Elections Division has completed the voter registration verification process.
The following three County Elections Division offices are open for voting, voter registration, and voter questions through Election Day.
Santa Barbara, 4440-A Calle Real, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, except holidays.
Lompoc, 401 E. Cypress St., rm. 102, 9 a.m.-noon, and 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, except holidays.
Santa Maria, 511 E. Lakeside Pkwy., Ste. 134, 8 a.m.-noon, and 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, except holidays.
In addition to being open during regular business hours, the three Elections Division offices will be open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays Oct. 22 and Nov. 5; and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters can track their ballot by signing up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive text, email, or voice status alerts.
A voter who has lost, spoiled or not received a vote-by-mail ballot can request a replacement ballot in person at one of the election offices, or by calling 1-800-722-8683 or 805-568-2200; or voters can surrender their ballot at their polling place and vote in-person on Election Day.
Voters who live in Mail Ballot Precinct and do not have an established polling place can go to the nearest polling place and surrender their ballot and vote using the ICX ballot marking device. Any voter who does not have their Vote by Mail ballot to surrender, will be given the option to vote provisionally.
The Santa Barbara County Elections Division wants to help make the voting process as easy as possible. Resources for Santa Barbara County voters are available at SBCVote.com. The secretary of state also has resources for California voters at vote.ca.gov.
For questions or assistance, visit www.SBCvote.com or call 1-800-722-8683 or 805-568-2200.