Ballots Are in Mail

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As part of a plan to save money and increase voter turnout, Santa Barbara city election workers mailed out 47,487 mail-in ballots on 10/3. The ballots began showing up in the mailboxes of registered city voters on 10/6. This election marks the first time Santa Barbara has conducted an all mail-in election. In 2007, twice as many voters cast ballots absentee style, but 5,500 still went to their polling booths to vote.

City administrators estimate this year’s election—in which the mayor’s position, three council seats, and four ballot initiatives are up for grabs—will be $50,000 cheaper. In addition, they claim that Burbank, the only California city to conduct mail-in elections (though there are municipalities in Washington and Oregon where mail-in voting is mandatory), has experienced steady increases in voter participation since switching to the mail-in approach. Voters wondering where their ballots are, or who have any other questions, can call 564-5309. Ballots must be turned in by 8 p.m., November 3. City election workers say voters who have not mailed their ballots in by October 30 should hand them in at one of seven drop-in centers. For their locations, see the Web site sbcityvote.org.

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