Nearly 241,000 ballots go out in the mail for Santa Barbara County to kick off voting season

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The long wait is over. Those who want to vote in the 2024 General Election can now begin to cast their vote.

The U.S. Postal Service is receiving 240,902 ballots at the Goleta office today for distribution countywide.

The ballots will arrive over the course of the next several days and voting can take place for those who receive their ballot.

Santa Barbara County Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters Michael Daly says, state voter information guides, "should have reached most voters by now and that's the same for county voter information guides." If you haven't seen any election materials, "go online you can go through our website sbcvote.com make sure your address  is good and you are good to go."

Some of the people coming into the elections office Monday were there to make sure their address is correct and all of the materials they are expecting to receive, will be received. Others came in on behalf of a family member who may not be able to get their materials the normal way and they will need some assistance.

Besides the Presidential race, the ballot is full of races at all levels including federal, state, and local offices.

There are city council races in several areas including Goleta, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Carpinteria, and Buellton.

There are also tax proposals in front of voters. One would raise the sales tax in Santa Barbara from 8.75% to 9.25%.

That was put on the ballot as the city faced a $10-million estimated deficit back in June.

After the ballots go out, it will take about a few days for them to arrive in some areas.

If a registered voter does not get election materials, they can contact the elections office to make sure their information is accurate.

The voter registration deadline is October 21.

Voters who have moved should reregister at their current address.

Voters can turn in their ballot immediately in several ways.

White election ballot boxes in selected areas will be unlocked for the ballot drop off and the contents will be picked up daily.

There are more than 30 of them in the county.

The ballots can also be mailed or dropped off at the elections office.

There is no charge for postage. Each envelope with a ballot has to have a signature on the back that matches the one on file. "Make sure you do not forget to sign the envelope.  It's very important  that you do that, " said Daly.

On election day, a completed ballot that was not mailed can be delivered to any precinct.

You can also still vote in the traditional way, in person.

If you have a lost or damaged ballot, a new one can be issued.

For more information go to: Santa Barbara Elections or visit Your News Channel's Voter Resource webpage here.