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

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.