Voting Logistics: How to Register and Vote

League of Women Voters^®
of Santa Barbara

Voting Logistics: How to Register and Vote

Registering to Vote. The Election Calendar.

Registering to Vote

A QUALIFIED VOTER MUST BE, On Election Day: · 18 years old · A U.S. citizen · A California resident · A registered voter for 15 days · Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
YOU MUST RE-REGISTER IF YOU: · Have moved since you registered · Changed your name · Wish to change party affiliation
WHERE REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE:
Elections Office, County Courthouse
130 E. Victoria Suite 200
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 568-2200 FAX: (805) 568-2209

Assessor's Office
105 East Anapamu Street, Room 204
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 568-2550 FAX: (805) 568-3247

Any post office, library, most government offices, banks, savings and loan associations or the League of Women Voters office.

IF YOU HAVE JUST MOVED:
Registration closes 15 days before each election. If you have moved anywhere in the state within 15 days of any election and are validly registered at your previous address, you may vote by returning to your former precinct or by absentee ballot.

The Election Calendar

PRIMARY ELECTIONS: even numbered years. Choose party nominees (national and state) and elect nonpartisan officials (state and county). You need to be a member of the party to choose a party's nominees.
GENERAL: November, even numbered years. Elect national and state officials; hold run-off elections, if needed, for nonpartisan offices.
CITY: All Cities: November, even numbered years. Exception, Santa Barbara: November, odd numbered years. Elect city officials.
SCHOOL: All school districts: November, even numbered years. Elect school district officials.
SPECIAL DISTRICTS: November, odd numbered years (some exceptions). Elect members of special district boards.
SPECIAL ELECTIONS: Fill vacancy, recall, decide on bond issues or ballot measure.
BALLOT MEASURES: May be included in any election
Polls are open from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M. According to law, you may, by arrangement with your employer, take up to 2 hours off from work to vote at the beginning or end of your shift without loss of pay.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 1, 2009 05:10 PST.