Find the safest next step for a voting question or problem.
Santa Barbara County / Nonpartisan Election Protection
Protect every voter. Protect every lawful ballot.
SB EPIC connects voters with official information, trained nonpartisan assistance and coordinated election-protection resources across Santa Barbara County.
Current Election Phase
Preparing for the November 3 General Election
Candidate filing, voter education, coalition preparation and volunteer recruitment are underway.
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Election protection in action.
Review the official November 3, 2026 election timeline.
Learn the coalition mission, principles and coordinated work.
Build a participation note and connect with a work area.
Find What You Need.
Open one section at a time for voter help, key dates, SB EPIC, volunteering or official election resources.
01 Get Voting Help Choose a question or problem and receive clear referral steps.
What do you need help with?
This tool provides referral steps only. It does not collect information, submit a complaint or replace advice from an election official or attorney.
Select an issue to see the safest next steps.
For urgent voting questions or problems, call or text 866-OUR-VOTE at 866-687-8683.
02 Key 2026 Election Dates The current period is marked automatically.
Candidate and ballot preparation
Candidate filings, ballot designations and statewide voter-guide review proceed before the certified candidate list.
Certified candidate list
The state posts the certified list of candidates. Voters should also confirm their registration and mailing address.
State voter guide online
The online Official Voter Information Guide is scheduled to become available.
Voter guides mailed
State and county election officials mail voter-information materials during this period.
Ballots begin mailing
Counties begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots to active registered voters; early voting also begins.
Drop boxes open
Counties must open secure ballot drop-off locations by this date.
Registration deadline
Last day for ordinary registration before the election. Conditional same-day registration follows.
Conditional registration
Eligible voters may conditionally register and vote through Election Day.
Election Day
Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Personally delivered ballots are due by 8:00 p.m.
Mailed-ballot receipt window
Eligible mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day may be received through November 10.
Counting and verification continue
Election-night totals are not final. Counties count eligible ballots and conduct the official canvass.
County certification deadline
County election officials must certify results by this date; SB EPIC continues post-election information work.
03 About SB EPIC Mission, steering organizations and nonpartisan operating principles.
To ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot, have that ballot counted accurately, and have confidence in the integrity of the election process.
Nonpartisan activityNo candidate or political-party endorsements under the SB EPIC name.
Verified informationDistinguish confirmed facts, preliminary reports, corrections and resolutions.
Bilingual accessProvide English and Spanish information whenever practical.
Countywide reachIdentify gaps by geography, language, community and institution.
CoordinationAlign calendars, training, resources and volunteer deployment.
Post-election continuityContinue protection and verified information for roughly two months after Election Day.
04 Nine Work Areas and Volunteer Pathway Review coordinated teams, then build a participation note.
Build my volunteer pathway
Training is required for voter registration, poll observation and other roles governed by election procedures.
05 Verify Information and Prepare an Incident Note Label what is known and create a private copyable record.
A report exists, but key details or an authoritative source are still missing.
The information is supported by an election official, direct evidence or multiple reliable sources.
Earlier information was incomplete or inaccurate. Explain what changed.
The problem has been addressed or the report was determined to be a false alarm.
Prepare an incident note
This creates a copyable record for your own use. Nothing is transmitted or saved by the page.
Protect voter privacy. Do not record ballot choices, unnecessary personal identifiers, immigration status or private medical information. Do not confront suspected intimidators or interfere with election workers.
06 Official and Qualified Resources Election administration, registration, voter status and voting-rights assistance.
Voting and Upcoming Elections
County voting options, accessibility, language assistance, polling-place lookup and ballot drop-box information.
Open County Elections2026 Election Information
Official statewide deadlines, registration, voter status, ways to vote and the Voter Bill of Rights.
Open State Election Center866-OUR-VOTE
Trained nonpartisan volunteers provide voting information and help voters respond to barriers or intimidation.
Open California HelpRegister to Vote
Register online or update your registration through California's official voter-registration system.
Register or UpdateMy Voter Status
Check registration status, political-party preference, voting districts and ballot-related information.
Check My StatusKnow and Report Your Rights
Federal guidance on voter intimidation, discrimination, disability access and reporting possible violations.
Open DOJ GuidanceWe Are California
Statewide civic-participation and democracy resources connected with community election protection.
Open We Are CaliforniaCan't Stop California
Take the pledge, find a community action, access voting information and connect with the Election Protection hotline.
Open Can't Stop CA2026 Voter Guide
SBWPC election information and endorsed-candidate material, maintained separately from SB EPIC's nonpartisan coalition work.
Open SBWPC Voter GuideProtect the process. Empower every voter.
Use verified information, respect voter privacy, follow official procedures and connect voters with qualified help.