Santa Barbara County Manages Election Day Operations

Santa Barbara County is conducting Election Day operations on November 4, 2026, with 67 polling places and 18 drop boxes active. Approximately 90,000 ballots were cast prior to the day, and officials expect total turnout to surpass 100,000 of the 248,945 registered voters.

Joe Holland, the County Elections official, is presiding over his final election before retiring on December 31 after losing his reelection bid to Melinda Greene. The process involves transporting ballots via Sheriff's Office escorted trucks to the County Elections Office for sorting, signature verification, and tabulation. A new California state law now restricts the release of results until all polling locations across the state have closed.

County staff are managing signature verification and voter notifications for challenged ballots. Final certified results must be submitted to the County Board of Supervisors by December 3.