KCSB’s Guide to Making Your Ballot Count

MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT! THE DEADLINE TO TURN IN YOUR BALLOT IS NOVEMBER 3RD (Voting is already underway!)

 

This could be the most important election of your lifetime. If you are a registered voter and have requested an absentee ballot, it should be on its way to you now. If you haven’t received your ballot yet, contact your county for a late vote replacement or consider voting in person (be sure to follow COVID-19 protocols). Keep in mind that in-person polling places will be open for four days, from Oct. 31 through Election Day, Nov. 3.  

 

Scroll down for KCSB News story links & other local voter resources.

 

KCSB’s Esther Cook has compiled the following tips to make sure your ballot is not disqualified. Over a million ballots are forecasted to be disqualified in this year’s election. Make sure your vote counts!

1. Your signature must match your voter registration form or your driver’s license signature. This is the leading cause of disqualification. Some states require a witness signature.
2. Make sure to drop off your ballot at an official ballot drop-off, in-person polling site, or directly into a post office box. There have been reports of unofficial ballot box locations in California.
3. Your ballot must be marked in blue or black ink only. (Not to be marked in red ink,
   pencil, etc.)
4. Make sure not to have any stray marks or tears on the ballot.
5. Turn in your ballot as early as possible, but no later than November 3.
6. Do not upload pictures of your ballot on social media.
7. Use the envelope provided with your ballot. Do NOT use your own envelope.
8. You can ask for a replacement ballot! If your ballot is unreadable, it will not be processed.
9. If you have cast a vote through an absentee ballot, do NOT vote in person. A double vote is a felony in many states.
10. You can track your ballot from the time it is mailed to the time you receive it. To track your ballot from the time it is issued, sign up and use Where’s My Ballot? 

 

SB COUNTY VOTING INFORMATION:

How to Vote Safely in SB County 

2020 Local Progressive Voting Guide

League of Women’s Voters SB Voting Guide

Sign Up to Be a Poll Worker

 

STATEWIDE/NATIONAL VOTING INFORMATION:

CalMatters Comprehensive Election Guide

CA Secretary of State Official Voting Page

How to Vote in 2020 (NYTimes)

Official Voter Bill of Rights

 

KCSB ELECTION-RELATED NEWS COVERAGE:

Why Your Mail-In Vote Will Count

Voting in Isla Vista During a Pandemic

Congressman Salud Carbajal on the Importance of Mail-In Voting

The League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara on Voting During a Pandemic

Trans Americans’ Voting Rights Amid COVID-19

Facebook’s New Voting Information Center and Misinformation Efforts 

Prop 15 – Reforming Commercial Property Taxation in CA

Prop 16 and the Opportunity for All Coalition

 

KCSB NEWS COVERS THE CANDIDATES:

24th Congressional District: Salud Carbajal v. Andy Caldwell

27th District Assembly: Steve Bennett v. Charles Cole

 

Listen to our full election SoundCloud playlist here.