A Guide to Vote Safely in the November 3, 2020 Election:
https://countyofsb.org/care/elections/voting/vote-safely.sbc
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- Every eligible registered voter in California will receive an official ballot in the mail beginning October 5, 2020.
- That ballot can be filled out (sign and date the envelope in INK) and returned any time through November 3, 2020. VOTE EARLY so that the postal service will not be overwhelmed by the increase in mail processing.
- You can also drop off the completed ballot (sign and date the envelope in INK) at the 24 hour secure drop box located in the elections office parking lot (See address #3 below).
- If you vote on election day at your polling station, take your ballot with you. (Note….there will be less voting stations open due to COVID-19.)
- You do not have to vote for everyone on the ballot. Do not sign the ballot, just the return envelope.
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 virus, open and available dates and times listed on this page may be temporarily changed. Call phone numbers for updates on office hours.
In this section, you can:
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Check to see if you are already registered, and if your information is up to date.
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Register to vote in California. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can use this online registration application to pre-register to vote.
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Apply to Vote by Mail (recommended) if you are not already signed up for that feature.
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Contact the Santa Barbara County Elections Office.
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California voting news and information.
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Santa Maria City residents search for voting District by address.
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2020 Calendar for March Primary and November General elections.
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Call our office for information on how to obtain a voter registration form, candidate information, to join, volunteer, or other questions. Leave a message. (Our Headquarters is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but we are returning messages.)
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Identify and Contact our Representatives.
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Order a free “Proud Democrat” sticker.
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. Registration can be done online at any time as long as it is several days (15) prior to an election. 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.
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.
2. Register to vote in California (multilingual):
CA STATE MULTI-LINGUAL WEBSITE:
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO VOTE
3. Vote by Mail:
When your ballot is mailed to you several days before an election (if registered before the deadline), you can vote any time through election day of November 3, 2020. (You can still register and vote in person up to and including election day at the poll or election office.) As of 2019, NO POSTAGE STAMPS NEEDED TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT BY MAIL. Just fill out the ballot, sign and date the envelope (in INK) and hand write your address (no peel off address stickers) and mail, or drop in the convenient 24 hour drop box in the parking lot of the Elections Office 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.
If you have already registered, and wish to become a permanent vote by mail, call 1-800-722-8683 ext 7 for application deadline, and print here:
Click here to Print a Vote By Mail application
Mail application to:
Santa Barbara County Elections Office, PO Box 61510, Santa Barbara CA 93160-1510
or Fax to 805-568-2209, or drop off at the local S.M. Elections Office, suite 134
Vote By Mail applications can also be obtained by requesting an application be mailed to you by calling the Elections Office at 1-800-722-8683, ext 7 to speak to a person.
4. Contact the SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE (Bilingual):
http://sbcvote.com/Elections/Elections.aspx
SANTA MARIA CONTACT:
511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Suite 134, S.M., CA 93455
Phone 1-800-SBC-VOTE, ext 7.
Note: The Santa Maria Elections Office may not be open, or have limited hours, during some off 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 would like to submit an application, print the Vote- By- Mail application and mail to the Elections Office: CA Vote By Mail Application
IF you have not received your ballot by 20 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 a “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. All of the City Council Members represent and are available to 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. The Mayor, District 1 , and District 2 have open seats in 2020.
- 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
7. Calendar for elections in 2020:
CALIFORNIA ELECTION CALENDAR FOR 2020:
Monday, February 3, 2020
– EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 18, 2020.
– ELECTION DAY for Primary – Tuesday, March 3, 2020
– ELECTION DAY for General – Tuesday, November 3, 2020
8. Call our local Headquarters to register to vote or receive other local election information, including candidate literature:
Headquarters location and contact information:
Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley
Currently closed due to COVID-19
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:
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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”
If you are eligible to vote, you may cast a ballot at your polling place on Election Day regardless of any other action you may have taken, or have missed the 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.
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Primary Election March 2020:
Also, check out helpful information on voting for a Presidential candidate in the California Primary: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-info/how-vote-president/?#*
******** IN CALIFORNIA: Are you registered as a “No Party Preference”? If you want to vote for a Presidential candidate in the “ Open Primary” held in March in California, YOU MUST Register with a political party or request a “CROSSOVER BALLOT”, for those parties that allow it, at the Polls or the Elections Office, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, suite 134, Santa Maria, CA 93455 (closed noon – 1 pm), 1-800-722-8683, Ext 7 to speak to a person. Register with the Democratic Party to vote for a DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE). Your ballot will NOT have a presidential candidate listed on it if you remain registered as “No Party Preference”.
