Turnout is unusually low in the current vote by mail city elections. As of last Thursday the city has received ballots from 16% of the city’s voting population. It’s entirely possible that only 25% of the city’s electorate will vote, which would seriously undermine the legitimacy of whoever gets elected. Worse, the chance that a very serious and damaging change to our city charter, Measure B which reduces allowable building heights downtown to 40 feet, would pass with the support of a tiny fraction of the people who would be affected by it for the next decade.

WE ARE CALLING on all of organized Santa Barbara, non-profits, advocacy organizations, individuals with an email list, neighbors with friends, to pass along important voting information. We’re calling on all voters to send it in, or go to a special drop off location and vote with a provisional ballot.

The Santa Barbara Democratic Party has endorsed Helene Schneider for Mayor, Grant House, Dianne Channing and Bendy White for City Council, and urges a “NO” vote on Measure B.

Low turnout is the result of a new procedure and we urge everyone to inform their community about how to vote.

Please pass on the following non-partisan message.

VOTE FOR SANTA BARBARA

It’s important that every voter in the city of Santa Barbara vote in the current city council elections. Your participation is crucial.

A. Every voter should have received a ballot in the mail. If you haven’t received a ballot or no longer have one, you can call the City Clerk’s office and request one, 877-801-8383.
B. If you have a ballot you can send it back, postage paid, but it must be received in the City Clerk’s office by November 3rd, therefore should be put in the mail by Thursday, October 29th.
C. You can drop off your ballot or vote provisionally at 7 drop off locations throughout the city which will be open on two days:

October 31st (Saturday, Halloween), from 8am to 5pm
November 3rd, Tuesday, from 7am to 8pm

D. We believe that many people have lost or misplaced the ballot that was sent them, and that it may not have been clear from the packaging what the ballot was. Every registered voter in the City of Santa Barbara has the right to vote provisionally. Voters can cast a vote at one of 7 drop off locations on the days and times listed above, at the locations listed below. There’s no reason not to vote, simply go to one of the locations and make your voice heard!

Braille Institute
Auditorium
2031 de la Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Cleveland School
Multi Purpose Room
123 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Grace Lutheran Church
Fellowship Hall
3869 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Holy Cross Church
Parish Hall
1740 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Pilgrim Terrace Activity Center
649 Pilgrim Terrace Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Fleischmann Auditorium
2559 Puesta del Sol
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

City of Santa Barbara
Lobby Area City Hall
735 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101