Staff Report
Election Day is Nov. 6, but the results of many local races may not be final for a week or more.
You can stay up to date on the outcome of city council, school board, special district and other elections by going to the Santa Barbara County Elections Division website at www.sbcvote.com.
With multiple candidates competing for the same seats locally — for example, 11 names on the ballot for three school board seats in the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District — the top finishers are often separated by so few votes that more counting is necessary.
Initial results are posted on the county website soon after the polls close, when they are also posted at the department’s office at 4440-A Calle Real in Santa Barbara. However, the semi-official statement of votes cast isn’t posted until midnight or later, after ballots are received from all polling places.
The county then posts an updated count by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9.
However, the final vote totals are not posted until after the results are certified. The county’s deadline to do that is 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6.
For information about elections for statewide and national offices, go to the California Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ca.gov.
