Election Guide

County Supervisors
Santa Cruz City Council
Measures
Election results
About our guide

Santa Cruz Local’s guide to the March 5 primary election

Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide provides nonpartisan information on all of the Santa Cruz County candidates and ballot measures in the March 5 election. Santa Cruz Local is a nonprofit news outlet that does not endorse candidates or take positions on ballot measures. Read our ethics statement.

This Election Guide explains the races for Santa Cruz County Supervisor and Santa Cruz City Council, as well as ballot measures in Santa Cruz County.

How this guide was made

At other news outlets, reporters and editors decide the questions for candidates without necessarily consulting voters or residents. Santa Cruz Local puts the power in voters’ hands.

  • In 2023, Santa Cruz Local surveyed and interviewed more than 350 residents about their concerns and questions for the candidates.
  • Residents’ feedback informed the questions we asked candidates and helped guide our elections reporting.
  • Read an Editor’s Note about key features of this guide.

Campaign finances

Donors and donations in Santa Cruz County races.

State and regional races

The CalMatters Voter Guide has information on Proposition 1 and the roles of a state assemblymember, state senator, U.S. representative and U.S. senator.

Frequently asked questions about voting and ballots

How do I vote in person?

Any Santa Cruz County voter can go to any voting location in the county.

Click on locations on the map to see voting hours.

Ballots are expected to be mailed to registered voters during the first week of February. Sign up for email or text alerts to track your ballot.

Feb. 19 is the last day to register to vote for the March  5, 2024 election and receive a ballot and voter guide in the mail.

  • Blue locations on the map are 24-hour ballot drop boxes. Ballots are collected daily.
  • Green locations on the map are government buildings where ballots can be dropped off during business hours.
  • Voters can also return ballots to in-person voting locations during voting hours.

Ballots will be accepted until 8 p.m. March 5. If a drop box is full or damaged, call the Santa Cruz County Voter Hotline at 831-454-2060 for service. 

Spanish ballots and voting guides will be mailed to voters who have requested them on their registration form.

To request a Spanish ballot and voting guide by mail or email, email [email protected] or call 831-454-2060.

Spanish voting materials will be available at all in-person voting locations.

You can register to vote even if you don’t have a mailing address. The county elections website has details.