Santa Barbara County Reports Big Increase in Late Ballots for 2025 Election

Santa Barbara County received more than 2,600 late mailed ballots in November 2025, which was 14 times as many late-and-uncounted ballots compared with the previous year’s election.

Late ballots include vote-by-mail ballots postmarked after Election Day and all ballots delivered to the Elections Office eight days or more after Election Day, according to Martin Cobos, the county’s chief deputy registrar of voters.

The increase in late ballots can be partially attributed to changes at the U.S. Postal Service, and elections officials urge voters to mail ballots early for upcoming June and November elections to ensure they arrive on time to be counted.

“We are always concerned about voters allowing enough time for the Postal Service to deliver ballots to the Elections Division,” Cobos said. “Mail your ballots early. We include materials with ballots urging voters to mail their ballots early.”



https://www.noozhawk.com/santa-barbara-county-reports-big-increase-in-late-ballots-for-2025-election/