Voting and Elections Information
Your Vote is Your Voice
Who Can Register to Vote in California?
To register, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and California resident
- Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
- Not currently serving a sentence in state or federal prison or on parole for a felony
- Not be declared mentally incompetent by a court
You can pre-register at age 16 or 17, and you’ll be automatically registered when you turn 18.
How Do I Register to Vote?
Visit the page and complete the registration form. Be sure to check important voting dates and deadlines.
If you miss the deadline, don’t worry — California offers Same-Day Voter Registration. You can register and vote in person at your county elections office or a polling place up to and on Election Day.
Where Should I Register — My Home County or Santa Barbara County?
That’s up to you.
- If you want to vote on issues affecting your hometown or plan to return there soon, register in your home county and vote by mail.
- If you want to participate in local elections while attending college, register to vote in Santa Barbara County.
Where Do I Vote?
Due to the Voter’s Choice Act, all registered voters in participating counties will receive a mail-in ballot about 28 days before the election.
You can:
- Mail your ballot
- Drop it off at any Voter Service Center (theres a ballot box in Lot 3, near Building B)
- Vote in person at any Voter Center during the early voting period or on Election Day
Have a Past Conviction?
In California, your voting rights are restored after completing your sentence, including parole.
if you’ve had a conviction in the past.