Local Voters Stayed Motivated Until the End of Election Day

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - The steady stream of voters arriving at the ballot boxes in-person and by car up until the end could make all the difference in the closest races from the November 3rd  election.

Ballot counting continues and the certification has to be done by December 4th.

Some of the youngest voters told us it felt rewarding to have a big voice in decisions affecting their lives.

Kennedy Owen is a UC Santa Barbara student, who said, "I am definitely encouraged, it is awesome."

She said having a voice in voting expresses how she feels. "Some places don't have that and we can advocate for our future kids."

Dan Feeney walked to the Santa Barbara County Elections Office from his home nearby. "I noticed all the young people that's good. I know on the news this morning there was a 20-year-old who said this is the second time I voted and that's good."

Inside the drop boxes, piles of ballots were coming in and cleared out throughout the day Tuesday to be verified and counted in what could make all the difference in tight races.

For some of the late voters they made sure they found the time and followed through.

Owen said, "yeah I just wanted to get out here and there's been a lot of encouragement on campus to get out there."

Amelia Cocchiarella is her friend from UCSB and said, "not watching it from the sidelines, not being able to vote, and finally now we're old enough and it is time for us to spread our voice."

This wasn't the easiest ballot, with two cards including some local, state and federal choices on key races, propositions and in some cities, a possible tax increase.

For many voting took awhile. They were happy to do it on their timeline.

Greg Mitchell said, "I really appreciate it doing it by mail here in California because the ballots got too long and complicated. I would sit there for hours and hours doing the research. I would feel a lot of pressure."

For more information go to: Santa Barbara County Election Results

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