Deadline to register to vote is May 21

Staff Report

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, May 21 to be eligible to vote in the June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election. If a voter has moved or changed his/her name, they must update their registration by completing a new voter registration form.

The Santa Barbara County Elections Office sent ballots out to permanent vote by mail voters and voters that live in mail ballot precincts on May 7.  County Voter Information Guides began mailing on April 27.  If a voter did not receive a ballot they were expecting or a County Voter Information Guide, we encourage them to contact our office at (800) SBC-VOTE or (805) 568-2200 to verify their registration status.  Voters can also verify their voter registration athttps://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/.

Fire and debris flow victims may choose to keep their current residence on file if they plan to move back.  Voters may have set up temporary mailing addresses through the United States Postal Service; however, we suggest updating their registration with their updated mailing address to ensure they are receiving election mailings, including ballots if they normally receive their ballot by mail.

If a voter is a permanent vote by mail voter, they may temporarily update their mailing address, by using the Notification of Seasonal Address form available on our website at http://sbcassessor.com/Elections/Forms.aspx.

Citizens can register online at http://registertovote.ca.gov prior to midnight on May 21 or complete a mail-in voter registration form available at local libraries, post offices or DMV offices.  Voter Registration Cards that are postmarked on or before May 21 will be accepted for the June 5 election.

If a voter is unable to register by the May 21, 2018 deadline, they have the choice to register and vote through Election Day using the Conditional Voter Registration option, which allows them to register to vote and vote a provisional ballot. Conditional Voter Registration is only available in person at one of the election offices listed below.

Three election offices in the county will be open Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Monday, May 21 until 8 p.m. for voter registration and ballot issuance. Office locations and regular business hours follow:

Santa Barbara, 4440-A Calle Real

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, except holidays

Lompoc, 401 E. Cypress St, Room 102
9 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, except holidays

Santa Maria, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Suite 134
8 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, except holidays