Vote now
Voting by mail began Jan. 7 in California’s Feb. 5
presidential primary. Voters can cast votes by mail – formerly called absentee
balloting. The state legislature changed the election code in 2007, removing
the word “absentee” and permitting voters who will not be absent from the
county on election day but who prefer, to mail in their ballots instead of
casting them at an official polling station. Santa Barbara County has 177,000
registered voters with 90,000 ballots mailed.
The last day to register to vote is Jan. 22, and Jan. 29
is the last day to request a “vote by mail” ballot. There will be three
elections in 2008: Feb. 5, June 3, and Nov. 4. In addition to national
contests, state propositions and local issues will be decided at the polls.
Volunteers are needed to work at polling places. Call 346-8374 for information
or visit www.sbcvote.com.