March 5 is the last day to vote in the Presidential Primary election. Ballots may be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day, March 5), returned in person to one of Santa Barbara County’s three election offices (locations listed below), to any polling place on Election Day or to an official ballot drop box.

County Elections has 30 secure ballot drop boxes in various locations throughout the County. Drop boxes are available 24 hours a day until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, March 5. A list of drop box locations in Santa Barbara County is included with the ballot and posted on the website at www.SBCVote.com.

• Ballots may also be returned to the County Elections offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc or to a polling place on Election Day before 8 p.m.
• Voters may mail their ballot with no postage required, postmarked by Election Day, March 5, in the preprinted return envelope provided with the ballot. The Postal Service advises voters to mail their ballot early to allow time for it to arrive at the Elections Office.

Voters must sign the ballot envelope. The signature on every returned voted ballot envelope will be compared to the signature on the voter’s registration card before it is counted.  If a voter thinks that their signature has changed over time, they should contact the Santa Barbara Registrar of Voters at 800-722-8683 or re-register online at www.registertovote.ca.gov. The DMV signature may be utilized with online voter registration.

Santa Barbara County Elections Offices are open Monday through Friday and located at:

• Santa Barbara Elections Main Office (4440-A Calle Real) – 8 AM to 5 PM.
• Santa Maria Elections Branch Office (511 Lakeside Parkway, Ste. 134) – 8 AM to Noon and 1 PM to 5 PM beginning February 5.
• Lompoc Elections Branch Office (401 E. Cypress, Suite 102) – 8 AM to Noon and 1 PM to 5 PM beginning February 29.

All three election offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc are available to assist with registering to vote, updating a voter’s registration, and obtaining voter-related materials. In addition, the offices offer services for those with disabilities.

Santa Barbara County Elections can be reached at SBCVote.com or by calling 800-722-8683.