SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The latest vote tally from the Santa Barbara County Elections Office shows councilmember Kristen Sneddon pulling ahead of fellow councilmember Eric Friedman in the race for mayor. After the most recent update, Sneddon holds just under 46% of the votes counted, giving her a slim margin of 296 votes over Friedman.
Current Count Details
As of the latest release, roughly 32,947 of the 55,223 ballots cast – about 59.66% – have been processed. The numbers indicate that Sneddon’s lead is less than one percent, a shift from the initial night‑of‑election results that had Friedman in front by a few hundred votes.
What the Numbers Mean
The race remains extremely close, with both candidates separated by only a few hundred votes. The Elections Office will continue to update the totals twice weekly, posting new figures on Tuesdays and Thursdays by 3 p.m. until the results are officially certified.
Candidate Backgrounds
Both Sneddon and Friedman are sitting members of the Santa Barbara City Council, bringing years of municipal experience to the mayoral contest. Their platforms focus on preserving the city’s historic character, supporting local businesses, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources.
Next Steps for Voters
Residents can follow the ongoing updates on the Santa Barbara Elections Office website or through local news outlets. The final certification of the mayoral race is expected after all ballots, including mail‑in and provisional votes, are counted.
Community Impact
The mayoral race is a pivotal moment for Santa Barbara, as the elected leader will guide the city’s response to housing affordability, tourism management, and environmental preservation. Both candidates have emphasized the importance of family values and community involvement in their campaigns.
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Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
