Get and stay informed this election season
With the general election bearing down on us, there’s so much at stake in our country. Although the tension is high in our presidential election, local races have a lot on the line as well—from school board and city council races to tax measures in what feels like a tight economy.
The Sun wants to make sure you’re ready to vote on or before Nov. 5. Our goal is to keep you aware of what you need to know and how to inform yourself about the election. We also want to understand the issues that you believe are important to your communities. Below, you will find election resources, a link to voter registration information, a readers survey, and our coverage of the election (which will continue to get updated as we publish more stories.
Register to vote with the Secretary of State!
Check the status of your mail-in ballot
Voting in person? Find your polling place here.
What's on the ballot
You’ll find all local federal, state, school board, special district, and judicial races on the Santa Barbara County Election Office’s candidate list, and scroll to the bottom of the county’s November 2024 elections page for ballot measure information. Go here for a list of state measures. Dive deeper into any local candidate’s campaign finances here. Find congressional and state Senate and Assembly candidate financial information, as well as what’s spent on statewide ballot measures, on this Secretary of State page.
For all city-run races, you’ll need to visit their respective municipal election websites: Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, Santa Maria, and Guadalupe.
Readers’ survey
We want to hear what’s driving your local votes this year, what issues are important to your community, and what you think we should be covering as we count down toward the Presidential Election. Give us your thoughts by filling out this survey, email [email protected], or write a letter to the editor for publication and send it to [email protected].
Sun Election Coverage
August 29, 2024
Housing, homelessness highlighted in 2nd District City Council Race
August 15, 2024
Lompoc Councilmember Gilda Aiello will not run for reelection, former planning commissioner to run unopposed
August 8, 2024
Santa Ynez Valley’s College School District adds $18 million bond measure to November ballot
August 8, 2024
School districts countywide are asking voters to approve funds for campus upgrades, new schools and classrooms
August 1, 2024
Looking to the future: Diana Perez faces Alice Patino for Santa Maria mayoral race
July 25, 2024
Lompoc City Council moves two similar measures to the ballot
July 18, 2024
Maria Salguero to face Carlos Escobedo in Santa Maria Council race
July 11, 2024
Lompoc now has two ballot measures to discontinue public park use
July 4, 2024
Guadalupe Royal Theater bond measure fails during second reading
June 27, 2024
Coming soon: Guadalupe plans to ask voters for $3 million to help fund Royal Theater renovation
June 20, 2024
Buellton’s 2024 election will ask voters to consider urban growth boundary
Voter Information Calendar
Sept. 21, 2024
Ballots are mailed to military and overseas voters
Sept. 26 - Oct. 15, 2024
County Voter Information Guides are mailed - Sample Ballots, Measure Information, and other details included in the Guide
Oct. 7, 2024
Vote-by-Mail Ballots are mailed to every active registered voter in SB County
Oct. 8 - Nov. 5, 2024
Ballot drop box locations are open throughout SLO County
Oct. 21, 2024
Last day to register to vote in the November 5, 2024 General Election
Oct. 22 - Nov 5, 2024
Same-day (otherwise known as Conditional) Registration period - For any voter who missed the deadline to register; must be completed in person at the Elections Office. The Elections Office will confirm voter eligibility before counting Conditional Ballots.
Nov. 5, 2024 POLLS OPEN 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
ELECTION DAY - November 5, 2024
Nov. 12, 2024
Last day a ballot postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Elections Office can be counted.
Dec. 3, 2024
Mailed Ballot signature verification deadline - Deadline for Elections Office to verify signature match on incomparable or unsigned Vote-by-Mail identification envelopes
Dec. 13, 2024
Statement of the Vote - The final official elections results certified by the California Secretary of State
