Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
Early results from Tuesday's Nov. 3 election show multiple ballot measures passing across Santa Barbara County. Measure D, an $80 million bond for Santa Ynez Valley Union High School facilities, led with 55.8% against a 55% threshold, while Allan Hancock College's $290 million Measure H led at 56.5%. Santa Maria's half-cent sales tax increase (Measure C) and Carpinteria's quarter-cent increase (Measure I) both exceeded their simple-majority thresholds with strong margins. Isla Vista voters backed a utility tax (Measure E, 70.6%) and a Community Services District spending limit (Measure F, 66.1%), while Guadalupe approved a cannabis tax replacement (Measure G, 68.0%) and a hotel tax increase to 12% (Measure J, 55.8%). Semi-official results were expected late Tuesday night, with final certified results due by Dec. 3.
Local Politics · Carpinteria, CA
First-batch results from the Nov. 3 election showed District 1 incumbent Mónica Solórzano leading Aja Forner 72.9% to 26.4%, and District 5 candidate Alexandra "Xy" VanAntwerp leading Randy Carrasco 71.4% to 27.7%. Incumbent Julia Mayer won her uncontested District 3 race with 94.5% of the vote. Measure I, a quarter-percent sales tax increase funding street repairs, disaster response and sheriff's services, appeared to pass at 62.6%, raising the city's rate from 9% to 9.25%. The incoming council faces decisions on a structural deficit, state-mandated housing for 901 units, pavement repairs, and appeals of the Surfliner Inn project approval scheduled for Nov. 30. Final certified results are expected by Dec. 3.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara County Mosquito and Vector Management District confirmed Aedes aegypti specimens at four locations within the city of Santa Barbara on Oct. 30, including sites near North Voluntario/East Cota, Laguna/East Carrillo, and East Victoria/Olive streets. The detections follow prior findings in Carpinteria in July and an unincorporated area between Santa Barbara and Goleta on Oct. 16, as well as Aedes notoscriptus detections in the Westside and Mesa neighborhoods earlier in 2026. MVMD General Manager Brian Cabrera called the multiple South County detections a "critical turning point" and urged residents to eliminate standing water and report daytime mosquito activity. The district advised all Santa Barbara County residents to dump containers, repair screens, use insect repellent, and ensure pets are on heartworm prevention.
