Voter Information Guide and Sample Ballots Arrive in the Mail

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) California voters may be surprised to see the long list of candidates named printed in the Voter Information Guides and Sample Ballot this election season.

Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters Martin Cobos said now it the time to study the information inside the guide.

"As you can see there are 61 candidates for Governor, which is a lot, and there are 16 for Lieutenant Governor and it takes the entire front side of the ballot. We urge you and hope that you will make your choice early and cast your vote early and not wait until Election Day, because it you haven't decided among those 61 people it may take awhile," said Cobos.

Although a some candidates including Eric Swallwell and Betty Yee have dropped out of the Primary Election there names are still on the ballot.

The names do not start alphabetically with A.

"The state of California has a rotation, so, they randomly select the alphabet and within that selection is how they determine which name comes first and which name comes second or third or in this case 61st," said Cabos.

All the names are capitalized.

The first name on the ballot is Lukasz Adam Filinski and the last is Max Fomin.

Both have no party preference.

A chaplain on the ballot who goes by the name LivingForGod AndCountry Demott also has no party preference.

Since this is an Open Primary there are people of all parties on the ballot.

Voters are only allowed to cast a vote for one candidate for Governor and one for Lt. Gov.

"It is overwhelming when you look at that page and see 61 candidates and 16 for Lt. Gov take your time you can only vote for one choose the candidate you would like to vote for and vote for one, most importantly vote, second vote early," said Cobos.

Elections Divisions Manager Christina Valenzuela said some people may get more than one guide in the mail if they have more than one voter living at the same address.

"County voter info guide it is voted to every voter however if you would like to receive yours via email you can opt out of receiving this guide or at least one person in your family can opt out and receive it electronically that will save taxpayers money, save on the usage of more paper so just signing up it is on our website we have an opt out program just sign up and we will send your voter information guide electronically," said Valenzuela.

Ballots will be sent, out on Monday May 4.

There are 61 polling locations in Santa Barbara County if you include the Elections Office.

There are 18 drop boxes in Santa Barbara County. Ballots may be dropped off at any time of day or night.

People may also mail them at the post office.

As long as they are postmarked by Election Day and received at the Election Office within 7 days they will be counted.

Election Day is Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

The top two vote-getters will be on the ballot Nov. 3.

For more information visit your county's election website.

The website in Santa Barbara County is https:[email protected] or call 1-800-722-8683.

Your News Channel will have more on the Voter Information Guide tonight on the news.

The post Voter Information Guide and Sample Ballots Arrive in the Mail appeared first on News Channel 3-12.