Election Day arrives in Merced County. Here’s how it’s progressing so far
Merced County election workers Alex Gonzales and Melina Gonzales have seen a steady stream of cars make their way through the drive through ballot drop box located in front of the Merced County Administration Building on Tuesday morning.
So far, so good as Tuesday’s statewide primary election day has started without any hiccups, according to Merced County Registrar of Voters Darlene Ingersoll.
“It’s been increasing as the morning has gone on,” Ingersoll said. “As the day goes on it will be more active. So far everything is going good.”
Tuesday’s primary election will decide which candidates are elected to fill several contested local seats, including Merced County District Attorney and Superintendent of Schools.
The county elections department received 14,158 ballots as of Monday, according Ingersoll. The ballots returned so far represent just a small fraction of Merced County’s 123,858 active registered voters,
“It’s low, but that’s expected with this type of primary,” Ingersoll said.
Primary elections typically elicit a lower turnout compared to general elections, however.
The 2020 primary election culminated with about 43% of Merced County voters casting votes compared to nearly 79% during the presidential election, according to the Registrar’s Office. A lower primary turnout was also seen in the 2018 and 2016 elections.\
Ingersoll says her office is ready to serve the voters. “My advice would be to make a plan. If you’re going to vote by mail make sure it’s postmarked with today’s date. We have to receive it in our office by June 14. You can drop off your ballot at any of our voting centers.”
Voters Choice Act
Merced County is one of more than 20 Voters Choice Act counties in California in which every registered voter gets a vote-by-mail ballot about a month before Election Day. Voters can fill out their ballot and mail it back through the U.S. Post Office, drop it off at one of the official drop-box locations scattered throughout the county, or they can vote in-person at one of the voting centers.
A complete list of Voting Assistance Centers and dropoff box locations around Merced County can be found on the county elections website.
The county elections office and all Voting Assistance Centers will be open until 8 p.m. today.
What’s on the ballot?
One of the most prominent local positions being vied for by multiple candidates is the role of Merced County District Attorney.
Incumbent Kimberly Helms Lewis is running for re-election of her role as District Attorney. She faces one challenger for the seat: Supervising Deputy District Attorney Nicole Silveira.
Another top local role with multiple hopefuls is that of Merced County Superintendent of Schools. Incumbent Steven Tietjen is seeking re-election, but will have to garner more votes than challenger Alberto Perfirio Lopez Velarde.
Velarde is the principal of Heritage Elementary School, a public elementary school in the Lodi Unified School District in San Joaquin County.
Other top county positions are running uncontested, such as County Board of Supervisors Districts 3 and 5. Supervisor Daron McDaniel currently represents District 3 and Scott Silveira holds the District 5 seat. Both incumbents are running for re-election without a challenger.
Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke is also running for another term unchallenged.
In the newly-drawn 13th Congressional District, which includes Merced County and parts of Turlock and Modesto, Democratic candidates include Assemblyman Adam Gray and Phil Arballo.
They are joined by Republicans Diego Martinez, David Giglio and John Duarte.
In the Assembly District 27, which includes Merced County, on the Democrat side, termed-out Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria is running against Fresno City Council member Mike Karbassi.
The Republicans are former Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin and Amanda Fleming.
If some of the contests are close, don’t expect to know who the winners are until days after the election.
This story was originally published June 7, 2022 at 12:35 PM.
