Santa Barbara County Enters Final Stretch Before June 2 Primary; Ballot Drop Boxes Open 24/7

With Election Day approaching for California’s June 2 statewide direct primary, Santa Barbara County voters are being urged to return their ballots on time and take advantage of early voting options now underway.

The City of Santa Barbara reminded voters to “return your ballot at a secure ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 2,” noting boxes are available throughout the county, including at City Hall, MacKenzie Park, and the Eastside Library.

Key deadlines and options

• Mail-in voting: All active registered voters were mailed a vote-by-mail ballot in early May. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by June 2 and received by June 9.
• Ballot drop boxes: Opened May 4 and available 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Drop Box locations here.
• In-person voting: Vote centers opened May 23 and remain open through Election Day. On June 2, any voter may cast a ballot at any vote center or their assigned polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Return your ballot at a secure ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 2, for the Statewide Direct Primary Election. Ballot drop boxes are available throughout the County, including at City Hall, MacKenzie Park and the Eastside Library.

More Info https://t.co/UqCPDez82s pic.twitter.com/3v3JM657xA

— City of Santa Barbara (@SBCity) June 1, 2026

Where to vote and how to get help

• Find your nearest vote center or assigned polling place: sbcassessor.com/SampleballotandpollplaceLookup (Sample Ballot & Polling Place Lookup tool) or call (800) SBC-VOTE.
• Check registration status and view a sample ballot: sbcvote.com.

Turnout so far

• Santa Barbara County reports 251,058 registered voters and a total population of about 445,000.
• Approximately 48,000 ballots have been returned to date, about 19% of registered voters.

Officials encourage voters to return ballots early using secure drop boxes or to vote in person before lines build on Election Day.