A Registration and Voting Guide

         Register and vote for Democrats.

REGISTER TO VOTE NOW and be ready to vote in the March 5, 2024, California Presidential Primary Election and the November 5, 2024 General Election.

ALL voters registered in California are eligible to vote in ALL statewide and national elections.  There are general elections every two years, and sometimes in off years.

  1.      Am I already registered?  

                     Check here:  https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov

Is your name (and signature), address, and political party preference up to date?  It is a requirement to re-register if any of these things have changed since you last voted.

 

 2.     Register to vote in California (multilingual):

CA STATE MULTI-LINGUAL WEBSITE:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO VOTE

 

***  Santa Barbara County Elections informationhttps://www.countyofsb.org/164/Elections

Eligible 16 and 17 year olds can register to vote and can vote in an election if they are 18 years old on election day.  

If you have questions about voting by mail,  call the Santa Barbara County Elections Office at 1-800-722-8683 ext 7, or visit their website  (link above).

Registration can be done online at any time as long as it is several days (15) prior to an election.  Track your ballot after it has been submitted:  https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/

ALL voters registered in California are eligible to vote in ALL statewide and national elections. There are general elections every two years, and sometimes in off years.

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What voting Districts am I in?   CLICK HERE to look up Districts by address

 

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“We cannot rest until all people have equal opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of their identity or background; until everyone has a guarantee of dignity, happiness and human rights regardless of their circumstances, including but not limited to access to food, education, healthcare, shelter and labor protections; and until our human community is living sustainably. “        Read:    “Our Democratic Values

    –  Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley

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  Voting information:

  • Every eligible registered voter in California may vote in every election.
  • Vote-by-mail ballots can be filled out (sign and date the return envelope in INK) and returned any time prior to the deadline on election day (mail before 5:00 p.m. at the post office).  FREE POSTAGE.
  • You do not have to vote for everyone on the ballot.  Do not sign the ballot itself,  just the  return envelope.
  • Every voter must sign and date their own ballot envelope.  Ballot envelopes can not be signed by anyone else in the household. 
  • ANYONE CAN DEPOSIT OR MAIL YOUR SEALED BALLOT FOR YOU, BUT MUST ALSO SIGN THEIR NAME IN THE DESIGNATED SPACE ON THE ENVELOPE, AND CANNOT RECEIVE PAYMENT.
  • If you mail your ballot, VOTE EARLY so that the postal service will not be overwhelmed by the increase in mail processing.
  • Voters  can also deposit the completed ballot in the return envelope, (signed and dated in INK) at their polling station or the 24 hour SECURE drop box located in the elections office parking lot at 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, #134, SM, 93455. (See more information #3 below). There are other approved drop boxes in your area as listed in the envelope you received with your ballot.
  • If you vote on election day at your polling station, take your ballot with you.

As of February 2020, California voters can register, update, make changes,  AND cast a ballot in person AFTER THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE up to and including election day.  Call the Elections Office for more information on registering or making changes after the deadline at 1-800-722-8683, ext. 7 to speak to a person.

NOTE:  During special circumstances, such as the COVID-19 virus pandemic,  open and available dates and times listed on this page may be temporarily changed.  Call phone numbers for updates on office hours.

To contact the Santa Barbara County Elections Office,  call 1-800-722-8683 ext 7

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In this section, you can:

  1.  Check the secure online link to see if you are already registered, and if your information is up to date.                  

  2.  Register to vote in California.  If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can use the secure online registration application link to pre-register to vote.

  3. Apply to Vote by Mail (recommended) if you are not already signed up for that feature.

  4. Contact the Santa Barbara County Elections Office.

  5. California voting news and information.

  6. Santa Maria City residents search for voting District by address.

  7.  2024 Calendar for Primary and November 5  General elections.

  8. Leave us (Democratic Club) a message at 1-805-349-2708 for information on how to obtain a voter registration form, candidate information, to join, volunteer, or other questions.  Leave your name and phone number.  (Our Headquarters is now open Mon-Fri and Saturdays by appointment.)

  9. Identify and Contact our Representatives.

  10. Order a free “Proud Democrat” sticker.

3.      Vote by Mail:


If you have questions about voting by mail, including the deadline to receive your ballot in the mail in time for a current election, call the Santa Barbara County Elections Office at 1-800-722-8683 ext 7 .

When your ballot is  mailed to you around 20 days before an election,  you can vote any time through election day (postmark must be no later than election day).  (You can still register and vote in person up to and including election day at the poll or election office until 8:00 p.m..) 

ANYONE CAN DEPOSIT OR MAIL YOUR SEALED BALLOT FOR YOU, BUT MUST ALSO SIGN THEIR NAME IN THE DESIGNATED SPACE ON THE ENVELOPE, AND CANNOT RECEIVE PAYMENT.

RETURN BALLOT BY MAIL.  NO  POSTAGE  STAMPS NEEDED TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT.  Just fill out the ballot, sign and date the ballot envelope (in INK) and mail.  Sign up to track your ballot:  https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/

Or….WALK YOUR BALLOT INTO the Santa Maria Valley Elections Office, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, SM 93455,  during their open hours (Hours also at 1-800-722-8683 Bilingual).

Election period Office Hours:
Mon – Fri: regular hours:  9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
(Hours subject to exceptions on holidays and during elections)
 
Extended Hours on Election Day:   

Or…DROP YOUR BALLOT in the secure drop box at the SM Election Office (see below).

(Elections Office is off E. Betteravia Road & Centerpoint Parkway)

MAPhttps://www.google.com/maps/place/34%C2%B055’23.4%22N+120%C2%B025’42.0%22W/@34.9231692,-120.4283363,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x39273c01d0a3599c!8m2!3d34.9231692!4d-120.4283363

Available are official Santa Barbara County Elections Office 24 hour DROP BOXES.  Locations are listed in your envelope with your official ballot, or drop in the convenient 24 hour drop box in the PARKING LOT of the Elections Office (photo shown below) at 511 E. Lakeside Parkway,  Santa Maria, 93455 (off E. Betteravia Road & Centerpoint Parkway).

Note:  The drop box may also be used for completed paper registrations forms.

4.     Contact the  SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE (Bilingual):

http://sbcvote.com/Elections/Elections.aspx

Phone 1-800-SBC-VOTE, ext 7.

 Fax to 805-568-2209

SANTA MARIA ADDRESS:

511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Suite 134,  Santa Maria, CA 93455

 

Santa Barbara mailing Address:

PO Box 61510, Santa Barbara, CA 93160-1510

 

Note:  The Santa Maria Elections Office may not be open, or have limited hours,  during some non election months.  However, the Recorders Office in the same building can accept registration forms and assist with some voter information.  The Santa Barbara Elections Office can answer questions all year by phone at 1-800-722-8683, Ext 7.

The Elections Division is responsible for voter registration, the administration of all public elections within the county, and the maintenance of all related official records.  Typical responsibilities include: the candidate nomination process; initiative and referendum petitions; arguments and rebuttals for ballot measures; candidate’s campaign statements and financial disclosure statements; voter registration and vote by mail ballots; management of polling places and the computation and certification of voting results.

5.     California voting news and information:

As of February 2020, California voters can register, update, make changes,  AND cast a ballot in person AFTER THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE up to and including election day.  Call the Elections Office for more information on registering or making changes after the deadline at 1-800-722-8683, ext. 7 to speak to a person.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of Saturday, October 10th, 2015 former Governor,  Jerry Brown, signed into law measures which will make voter registration automatic for ALL California citizens who get or renew a California drivers license. The bill was a priority of newly elected Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

ALL voters registered in California are eligible to vote in ALL statewide and national elections. NO photo ID is required. There are general elections every two years, and sometimes in off years. THIS DATE IS SET BY LAW AS THE 1st TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. IT MAY NOT BE CHANGED. Polls in California open at 7 AM and close at 8 PM on election day.  Presidential years will also hold a “Primary Election” in the month of March every four years.

And remember, even if you DON’T check all of the boxes on your ballot, any box that you do check will still  be counted.  You DO NOT sign your ballots, but if you Vote by Mail, you MUST sign (in ink) and date the GREEN ENVELOPE before returning your enclosed ballot.  No postage stamp needed.

More information about Vote-By-Mail ballots and voting:

IF when you registered to vote, you initialed  the “Vote By Mail” option on your registration form, you will receive your ballot approximately 29 days prior to the election. To Vote, follow the instructions on the ballot. 

IF you have not received your ballot several days before the election contact your County Election’s office at 1-800-722-8683, Ext 7,  (Bilingual) and explain the problem.

IF you prefer to vote at your polling place and you have received your “Vote by Mail” ballot, then take that ballot to the Polling place.

In any event you may cast a ballot at your polling place on Election Day regardless of any other action you may have taken. It may be a provisional ballot and will be counted last and only IF you have not voted elsewhere in this election.

 

6.   Search for your City of Santa Maria voting District by address:

NOTICE  – IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA

The City of Santa Maria has been divided into four voting districts as of 2017.                 Each district will have a representative on the City Council that resides in that district.  Only the  SM City Council member from YOUR district will appear on your ballot.                       

However, once  elected, City Council Members represent, and are available during their 4 year term , to ALL residents in the entire city of Santa Maria regardless of their designated district.  

The City Council candidates  appear on the ballot for the General Election in November.

  •   Northwest quadrant is District 1
  •   Northeast quadrant is District 2
  •   Southwest quadrant is District 3
  •   Southeast quadrant is District 4

Look up your voting District by address link:  Santa Maria Voting District by address

Or call the City of Santa Maria at 805-925-0951 Ext. 2306.
My Santa Maria City Council members and Mayor link:  Santa Maria City Council

FOR ALL SANTA BARBARA COUNTY DISTRICTS AND PRECINCTS  BY ADDRESS:    Click here

7.   Calendar for elections in 2024:

CALIFORNIA ELECTION CALENDAR FOR  2024:

–   GENERAL ELECTION DAY     Tuesday, November 5, 2024  (Deadline 8:00 pm)

Note: If you are using the postal service, mail EARLY to insure the stamped post mark is on or before the November 8th deadline.  Drop off completed ballots in the signed and sealed envelope at polling places (shown on the back of Sample Ballot you received in the mail) or use the secure official county drop boxes located throughout the county in convenient locations.  The list of official drop boxes is included in the ballot envelope.

Vote By Mail ballots will be mailed out 29 days prior to election day.  Information about Voting By Mail: https://www.countyofsb.org/164/Elections

–  PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, March 5, 2024.     (Deadline 8:00 pm)  Vote By Mail ballots for the Primary Election will be mailed out 29 days prior to election day. 

Information about Voting By Mail:  https://www.countyofsb.org/164/Elections

  • The last day to register to vote for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election is February 20, 2024.
  • All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election.
  • Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by February 5, 2024.
  • Ballot drop-off locations open on February 6, 2024.
  • Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.
  • Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on February 24, 2024.
  • Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by March 12, 2024.
  • Need more information?  Click here:  https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/pres-prim-march-2024

If you are eligible to vote, you may cast a ballot at your polling place on Election Day by 8:00 pm regardless of any other action you may have taken, OR HAVE MISSED THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE.  It will be a provisional ballot and will be counted last and only IF you have not voted elsewhere in this election.  Call the Elections Office for more information at 1-800-722-8683, Ext. 7 to speak to a person,  Mon – Fri,  8 am-5 pm, closed noon – 1 pm.

REGISTER EARLY.  Mailed registration applications to vote in the Primary Election must be Postmarked according to the deadline determined by the county.  You can “conditionally” register and vote at the same time in person at your county elections office during open hours after the 15-day voter registration deadline and before 8 pm on election day.

Vote By Mail ballots for the Primary Election will be mailed out 29 days prior to election day.

– Visit the Santa Barbara County Elections Office website to update voting information or apply for registration to vote and other current voting information:  https://countyofsb.org/care/elections/registration.sbc

Call  Santa Barbara County Elections Office for information at 1-800-722-8683, Ext. 7 to speak to a person,  Mon – Fri,  8 am-5 pm, closed noon – 1 pm.

– Visit the CA State Elections Office for all California counties:

Apply to register to vote, find your polling place, and more:  https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california                                                                                                                                                                    

Find out how you can participate in the 2024 California elections process:  https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/help-strengthen-our-democracy

 

8.  Call our local Headquarters to fill out the register to vote form, or receive other local  election information, including candidate literature:

Headquarters location and contact information:

Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley

327 E. Plaza Drive, Suite 2
Santa Maria, CA 93454

(Drop slot in the door)

Telephone:   1 (805) 349-2708 

Please leave a message and return phone number.   We will return your call.

Click here for Directions

 

9.     Our Representatives:    Click here for Representatives

Our Representatives want to hear from us.   

Know who our Representatives are, how they vote, and how to contact them.

10.   Order a free “Proud Democrat” sticker.

 

Get your FREE “Proud  Democrat” sticker mailed to you from the DCCC: 

       https://action.dccc.org/page/s/free-proud-democrat-sticker

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It’s never been easier to register and vote. Your vote is your voice.

 

“We cannot rest until all people have equal opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of their identity or background; until everyone has a guarantee of dignity, happiness and human rights regardless of their circumstances, including but not limited to access to food, education, healthcare, shelter and labor protections; and until our human community is living sustainably. “                                   –  Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley         Read:    “Our Democratic Values

 

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Permanent link to this article: https://santamariademocrats.info/voting/

“No Party Preference” voter information for California Primary elections

DEMOCRATS – Be sure you are registered as a Democrat to vote for a Democratic  Presidential candidate! California voting laws are subject to change.  Please check with the Elections Office at 1-800-722-8683, Ext.  7 to speak to a person for clarification on current registration laws for the California  Primary. Visit CA State website:  https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-info/how-vote-president/?#*   …

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