Welcome to the News-Press’s live coverage of the 2026 election in Santa Barbara County. Follow this page for updates from our newsroom and results as election officials release them.
Voting today is 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT. Before you vote, see our 2026 Santa Barbara County Voter Guide for candidate profiles, ballot measures and reporting on your local races. You can find your polling place with the California Secretary of State’s voter resources.
We’ll be sharing new stories and updates from the News-Press newsroom throughout the day and into election night. Our latest updates appear below.
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Evening hours bring surge of voters to ballot drop boxes
The marquee countywide election of the night is likely the race for Santa Barbara County Supervisor, District 5. The North County district, covering part of Santa Maria and all of Guadalupe, promises to shift the balance of power on the County Board of Supes.
Affordability is at the top of voters' minds this election
At the Santa Barbara City Hall ballot drop box and First Presbyterian Church polling place, voters said there are a number of issues driving them to the polls this election season — including the future of State Street, healthcare, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raids and rent control.
But the one common issue on these voters’ minds was affordability.
“I just feel like it’s my civic duty and responsibility to participate,” said Joe Samora, a 25-year resident of Santa Barbara. “It’s a scary and frustrating world out there, and I’m hoping that my vote makes a diffeerence.” Samora said affordable housing, public education funding and healthcare are the issues he cares about most this election.
One gentleman at the First Presybeterian Church polling place had one answer when asked about what brought him to the polls today: “higher prices, higher prices, higher prices.”
Though President Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot, he was weighing on some voters’ minds.
“I think [Trump] lied to everyone,” a Santa Barbara business owner said. “I think everyone was tricked.” She said that wars and ICE were two of the biggest issues for her this election.
Undecided as you head to the polls? Check out our in-depth profiles on each of the Santa Barbara mayoral candidates:
It's a rematch for the title of mayor between David Silva and Dave King in Buellton
In Buellton, Mayor David Silva was out early campaigning Tuesday, getting the word out about his re-election campaign. If it seems like Silva just ran for mayor, it’s because he did.
Buellton elects its mayor every two years, not four, like most cities.
Silva is facing a stiff challenge from an old adversary, Dave King, the former mayor of Buellton. King is a retired CHP officer. Silva works in fundraising at UCSB.
Silva has shaken up Buellton. He is openly gay and has eyes on future political office. Insiders are talking about him running for District 3 Santa Barbara County Supervisor when Joan Hartmann steps down.
Silva plans to hold his election night party at Zaca Creek Tavern just outside Buellton, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
King on Tuesday morning was working.
Unsure how to vote for SB Unified School Board?
See our profiles on each candidate.
Santa Barbara County Republican Party's Election Night watch party in Goleta
The Santa Barbara County Republican Party will host its Election Night watch party at Timbers Roadhouse in Goleta from 7 to 9 p.m. Santa Barbara Republican Party County Chair Bobbi McGinnis told the News-Press the following candidates would be in attendance:
- Santa Barbara City Council District 6 candidate Alexander Stoeber;
- Santa Barbara City College Trustee Area 7 candidate Heather McGinnis;
- Goleta City Council District 2 candidate Phebe Mansur;
- Buellton mayoral candidate Dave King;
- Buellton City Council District 1 candidate Mark Williams.
Search our Voter Guide by your address
See the exact races you’ll need to vote on
Here's a proposition for you: How to decode the 14 statewide Propositions
Decide how to vote on your way to the polling place. We have your cheat sheet right her.
Voter guide: Understand the propositions on the California general election ballot
Who do I vote for today? We've got you
See our last-minute Voter Guide for all races in SB County
Today's Morning Newsletter: Watch live election results with the News-Press all evening long
We’ll be tracking all election results live after polls close at 8pm tonight. In the meantime, stay with us while we bring you regular updates throughout election day.
5th District candidates to gather with supporters
Maribel Aguilera, candidate for Fifth District Santa Barbara County Supervisor, was expected to host family and supporters at The Historic Santa Maria Inn.
Ricardo Valencia, her Democrat opponent, planned to start Election Night at the nearby United Domestic Workers of America Hall and later meet with family and supporters at The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe in Santa Maria.
The candidates are running to succeed outgoing Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, who’s retiring after 16 years in office.
Women leaders rally for Wardlow at Mission Rose Garden
Photo Shoot: In one of her final efforts to galvanize voters ahead of Election Night, District 4 City Council candidate Devon Wardlow held a “women-supporting-women” photo shoot and rally at the Santa Barbara Mission Rose Garden last Wednesday.
Nearly 30 women leaders, including former Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf and Santa Barbara Democratic Women President Claudette Roehrig, held up Devon Wardlow lawn signs and chanted “vote for Devon!”
“Devon has the skills and abilities and the experience,” Wolf said. “I’m very happy that Claudette pulled us together. It’s really a testament to Devon that the call went out just two days ago, and look at the women behind me.”
The videos they shot quickly became campaign material on social media. As a side note, the Rose Garden has become the focal point of social media messages in District 4, with both Wardlow and Taft-Vazquez using the spot as a backdrop for their storytelling.
Nearly a third of county ballots are in before Election Day
At the close of business Monday, Santa Barbara County residents had returned 81,418 ballots with 167,808 still outstanding — for an overall turnout so far of 32.7%, according to the latest PDI Early Vote Tracker tally.
Democrats led the charge with 43,169 ballots returned, followed by Republicans with 21,617 and independents with 16,632.
Voters age 65 and older accounted for 60.3% of the turnout — the highest rate among any age group — while 18- to 34-year-olds brought up the rear with a 12.9% turnout so far, PDI reported.
Your guide to tonight's election watch parties
Parties: It’s not quite “Saturween” in Isla Vista, but Santa Barbara will have its share of parties tonight as election results roll in.
The Santa Barbara County Democratic Party and Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County are hosting the biggest event of the night at Validation Ale in the Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone neighborhood.
Expect candidates Kristen Sneddon, Devon Wardlow, Gabe Escobedo and Ian Baucke to show up to celebrate possible victories. Valerie Amparan, school board candidate, will also be there. It’s a somewhat significant moment for the County Democratic Party and the Democratic Women to host a joint affair — the two groups don’t always agree on which candidates to endorse.
Oftentimes the County Democratic Party endorses the most liberal candidates, meanwhile Democratic Women endorses some of those same candidates while also endorsing more moderate-leaning options. The Democratic Women organization has been a place for candidates who didn’t get endorsed by the County Democratic Party to have a different place of support.
In years’ past, the groups’ parties have been held at two different places. This cycle, the Democratic Women could not reach consensus on a candidate for mayor, or a candidate in District 4.
Tonight they will all be under one roof.
Meanwhile, candidate Eric Friedman will be nearby at Biergarten, celebrating with his supporters, should he pull off a win.
The other big event of the night is at the Santa Barbara Public Market, where candidates Monte Wilson and Alexander Stoeber will be holding court.
Genevieve Taft-Vazquez will be over at Gala Restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara. It’s a spot owned by a resident of the district Taft-Vazquez is looking to represent — District 4.
James Zurlinden, candidate in District 5, is having an event at Convivo on Cabrillo Boulevard.
Downtown Santa Barbara District 6 candidate Anabella Lehne told the News-Press she would be in Carpinteria on election night.
Local Santa Barbara elections enter the vertical video era
The road to Santa Barbara City Hall runs through your social media feed. From polished videos to personal stories, candidates for mayor and City Council have been hoping to turn likes into votes. Take a look at how they’re campaigning, one scroll at a time.
How social media became a campaign tool for Santa Barbara City Hall candidates
SB County's 8 Local Ballot Measures
School bonds, local taxes and community services are on the ballot in parts of Santa Barbara County. Our guide to this year’s eight local ballot measures breaks down what’s proposed and where each applies. Handy for a last-minute look before you vote.
Voter Guide: Understand the local measures on your California general election ballot
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