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 California Online Voter Registration 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.
Check your eligibility if you’ve had a conviction in the past.