Last minute 2024 primary voter guide: What Merced County residents should know
From conditional ballots to language services, the Registrar of Voters Office has set up 14 centers to help
Election Day is today in Merced County. Whether you still haven’t registered or want to know where to drop off your ballot, the Merced County Registrar of Voters can help.
The Registrar of Voters has set up a total of 14 voting centers throughout the county to assist Merced County residents, along with multiple ballot dropoff locations.
Voting centers are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Click here for a list of Merced County voting centers and ballot drop off locations.
The services offered at voting centers include 1). Language services 2). Ballot replacement 3). Conditional ballots. 4). Accessible voting.
Same day voting information
Although the voter registration deadline has passed, those who wish to vote can still fill out a conditional ballot at any of the 14 voting centers – a process under California law also known as same day voter registration.
Do you still need to send or drop off a vote-by-mail ballot? All vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday and received by the Registrar of Voters by 5 p.m. March 12. Vote by mail ballots can be dropped off at voting centers until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Measure C, Board of Supervisors on the ballot
One of the top local issues being watched in the 2024 Merced County primary election this year is Measure C, a half-cent public safety tax that benefits the City of Merced’s police and fire departments. Measure C was first approved in 2006 with a 20-year lifespan. Without an extension, it will sunset in 2026.
In order to pass, Measure C must receive a simple majority of votes in favor of renewal.
The 2024 Merced County primary election ballot includes candidates for the U.S. Congress, the California Legislature, Merced Superior Court judges, Merced County Board of Supervisors and local ballot initiatives.
Races for federal and state offices, including Congress and the California Legislature, will appear on the March primary ballot, but won’t be settled until the November election.
Merced County supervisor races that have only two candidates may be decided Tuesday. If no candidate receives 50% plus one of the votes, the top two vote getters will continue to a runoff election in November.
Click here for a list of candidates and issues on the ballot.
Proposition 1 and homelessness
Another issue being closely watched is Proposition 1, which would help shape the state’s policy toward fighting homelessness and providing mental health for years to come.
Supporters have said it will address the “sickest of the sick” among the state’s unhoused population, and help ease the state’s homeless problem by focusing on getting those people off the streets, as well as helping homeless veterans.
Opponents have said it will transfer money away from services that keep people out of homelessness in the first place, thus possibly exacerbating the state’s problems. They also say it’s an inefficient way to address the root causes of homelessness in California.
Merced County has grappled with the issue of homelessness for years. The number of homeless residents here decreased by 8.30% since 2022, from 855 people to 784 in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information about voting in Merced County, visit the Registrar of Voters website or call (209) 385-7434