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Santa Barbara supervisors approve policies to limit unauthorized immigration enforcement on county property, boost election protections and study tools to block
Summary
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors adopted a three-part policy package April 21, 2026, directing elections outreach, restricting unauthorized immigration enforcement on county property, and asking planning staff to explore land-use tools related to detention facilities; the elections measures passed 5-0 and the access/land-use items passed 4-1.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on April 21 approved a three-part policy directing county staff to (1) restrict unauthorized immigration enforcement on county-owned property, (2) expand county-led efforts to protect ballots and voter confidence ahead of 2026 elections, and (3) ask planning to study land-use tools that could be used if detention facilities are proposed on unincorporated county land.
Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the elections measures and requested the elections division return to the board on May 5 with details about how it secures ballots and promotes poll-worker recruitment. A subsequent motion to adopt the access and land-use components passed 4-1, with Chair Nelson recording the lone dissent.
Supporters said the policies respond to widespread fear that immigration enforcement activity near public facilities deters residents from using county…
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