Santa Barbara

About 35,000 Ballots Returned a Week Before Santa Barbara County Election

About 35,000 Ballots Returned a Week Before Santa Barbara County Election

Noozhawk

May 26, 2026

Original

Well, neighbors, we’re officially one week out from the primary election, and if you’re anything like me, that stack of mail is still sitting on the kitchen counter. According to Noozhawk, only about 35,000 of the 250,000 ballots mailed out in Santa Barbara County have been returned so far. That’s a lot of voices still waiting to be heard — and with local races that directly impact everything from our potholes to our parks, every single one counts.

What I love about this community is how we show up for each other, and voting is just another way of doing that. Whether you’re dropping your ballot at the Goleta library, the county elections office on Anacapa Street, or a secure drop box near your favorite coffee shop on State Street, there’s still plenty of time. So grab that ballot, pull up a chair, and make your mark — because the best part of living on the Central Coast is having a say in how we grow, preserve, and thrive together.

Read Original Article

This summary was written by AI based on the original article from Noozhawk.

Source

Noozhawk

Published

May 26, 2026

AI-curated summary from local news sources

Explore Santa BarbaraAll Santa Barbara News

More News from Santa Barbara

SBCAG solicita la opinión del público sobre cómo mejorar la participación comunitariaSanta Barbara
Santa Barbara Independent· Oct 8, 2026

SBCAG solicita la opinión del público sobre cómo mejorar la participación comunitaria

SBCAG, the regional body that helps coordinate transportation and planning across Santa Barbara County, wants to hear from you — not just about roads and buses, but about how the agency itself can do a better job of listening to residents. As reported by the Santa Barbara Independent, the association is gathering public input on how to improve community engagement, which is a polite way of asking: how can government make it easier for everyday folks to show up and be heard? Here on the Central Coast, where decisions about highways, housing and transit ripple through every neighborhood from Carpinteria to Santa Maria, that question matters. Too often, the people most affected by regional planning are the least likely to make it to a weekday meeting in a distant conference room. So if you've ever felt like your voice got lost in the shuffle, this is your chance to say so. Keep an eye on SBCAG's channels for how to weigh in — your two cents could help shape how the 805 plans its future.

SBCAG Seeks Public Input on How to Improve Community ParticipationSanta Barbara
Santa Barbara Independent· Oct 8, 2026

SBCAG Seeks Public Input on How to Improve Community Participation

Here's a question worth asking: how do you actually want to hear from your local government? SBCAG — the folks who plan transportation and regional projects across Santa Barbara County — is asking residents how they'd like to receive info and give feedback on the decisions that shape our daily commutes, housing, and growth. If you've ever sat through a 6 p.m. hearing at the county building, or tried to find a meeting agenda buried somewhere online, you know the current system doesn't always work for working families, Spanish-speaking neighbors, or anyone juggling kids and a job. The Santa Barbara Independent reports SBCAG wants to fix that. So speak up — even if it's just to say "send me a text" or "hold meetings on weekends." The way our region gathers input now determines whether the next big transportation project reflects the 805 or just the loudest voices in the room.

La Junta de Supervisores busca cubrir dos puestos en la Junta de Retiros del CondadoSanta Barbara
Santa Barbara Independent· Oct 8, 2026

La Junta de Supervisores busca cubrir dos puestos en la Junta de Retiros del Condado

Our county supervisors are looking for a couple of good neighbors to step up and serve on the County Retirement Board. If you live in Santa Barbara County and have a head for finance, pensions, or just want to help look out for the retirement security of our local public workers, this could be your moment. The Retirement Board oversees the pension system that supports the people who keep our county running — from sheriff's deputies to parks staff. It's not glamorous work, but it matters, and it's one of those quiet civic roles that shapes our community's long-term health. The Santa Barbara Independent reports the Board of Supervisors is now accepting resumes from qualified residents. If you've got the background and the time, consider throwing your hat in the ring. Local government works best when regular folks show up. Details on how to apply are available through the county.