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2019 6,161 Two City Council seats (Districts 1, 2). Two more seats were uncontested and candidates were appointed (Districts 3, 6) rather than put on the ballot, to save money on the election cost Studies from the Public Policy Institute of California and other organizations have demonstrated that even-year elections and propositions can improve turnout, and Santa Barbara’s election history shows that to be true. The city will be moving to even-year elections in 2024, like every other city in the tri-county area, which is expected to have a larger impact on voter turnout than district elections did. Elections for the six City Council seats are split, so three people are elected every two years. The mayor’s race is aligned with the Districts 4, 5 and 6 elections, which means every city voter can cast a ballot those years. ....
A story in Noozhawk’s Report on Santa Barbara District Elections Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo was the first Latina to be elected to the City Council when she won her first term in 2011. She attends meetings from the mostly empty City Hall council chambers during the novel coronavirus pandemic, while other members video conference from their offices or homes. (Brooke Holland / Noozhawk photo) By Joshua Molina, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @JECMolina December 16, 2020 | 4:00 p.m. [Noozhawk’s note: First in a series about Santa Barbara’s transition to district-based elections for the City Council.] For years, Santa Barbara’s Mesa, Riviera and San Roque neighborhoods were the political power bases deciding who would serve on the City Council. ....