Voter Assistance

Request a Ballot by Mail

Any voter may request to permanently receive their ballots by mail. Click the button below for the Permanent Vote by Mail Application.

Vote by Mail Application

Large Font Materials and Tape Recordings

Large Font Materials

The County Voter Information Guide and State Voter Information Guide are available in large font formats at our three office locations upon request. Requests can also be emailed and the large font materials will be mailed. Click the button below to email a request.

Request for Large Font Materials

Audio Recordings

Audio ballot information is available upon request at the following locations:

Finding an Accessible Polling Place

To determine whether a polling place is accessible, voters can turn to the back cover of their County Voter Information Guide.

If the polling place is not accessible, voters may call (800) SBC-VOTE to find the nearest accessible location or to request Curbside Voting at their polling place.

How to Request Curbside Voting

Curbside Voting allows the voter to remain in their vehicle and the pollworkers bring the necessary materials to them. To request Curbside Voting at a polling place or one of our office locations, please call (800) SBC-VOTE or (800) 722-8683).

At most of our inaccessible Polling Places, there will be a call button in a designated parking space that can also be used to request Curbside Voting.

Assistance at the Polling Place

Voters unable to complete their ballot may bring one or two persons with them into the voting booth to assist them, or they may ask pollworkers to provide assistance.

Voters may not be assisted by their employer, union representative nor an agent of the employer or union representative.

Language Assistance

Please visit our Language Assistance page.

Accessible AutoMARK Ballot Marking System

Accessible AutoMARK ballot-marking systems are available during each election at all polling places in Santa Barbara County as well as our three office locations. The AutoMARK provides an opportunity for voters who are blind, visually impaired, or have a disability or other conditions to traditionally mark a ballot without assistance. The AutoMARK is easy to use and has a Braille keypad, increased font size, and audio options as well as a touch screen.

The voter may listen to the list of ballot options through headphones. The voter controls both the speech speed and volume and choices may be repeated easily. Selections are read back to the voter at the end of the session to ensure the proper selection was made. The AutoMARK also ensures that no races are accidentally under-voted, over-voted, or left blank by providing an opportunity to edit selections before the ballot is printed.

The AutoMARK is on a table and may be used with a wheelchair or a chair.

For voters interested in using the AutoMARK, our office staff or the staff at our polling places will show the voters to the unit, issue the proper ballot and answer any questions about using the unit.

Other Aides and Services

Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

For registration and election information, the Secretary of State has established a telecommunications device for the Deaf and hearing impaired. The TTY/TDD number is (800) 833-8683.

Aides Available at Polling Places

The following items are also available upon request at all polling places in Santa Barbara County as well as our three office locations:

• Easy Grip Pens
• Handi Lens Magnifier
• Accessible Vote Booth

These vote booths are able to be used with a wheelchair or a chair.