Where can I vote in Merced County? Drop off ballot? What to know on Election Day
It’s Election Day — and eligible Merced County residents can cast their vote on whether to approve or reject a statewide ballot proposition.
Proposition 50 seeks to redraw boundaries for many of California’s congressional districts.
“You have a number of ways to participate as California continues to protect and expand your right to vote,” the California Secretary of State’s Office said on its website. “We uphold universal vote-by-mail ballots, multiple in-person voting approaches, same-day voter registration and provisional voting, all designed to make voting accessible and secure.”
Eligible California voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 4 — to turn in their ballots.
Here’s where you can find voting centers and drop off your ballot in Merced County:
Am I eligible to vote in Merced County?
To be eligible to vote in California, you must be:
- A United States citizen
- A California resident
- At least 18 years old on Election Day
- Currently not serving time in a state or federal prison for a felony conviction
- Currently not found mentally incompetent by a court ruling
What’s the deadline to register to vote?
Though the deadline to register to vote in the special election was Monday, Oct. 20, eligible California residents can sign up for same-day voter registration until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Voters can “conditionally” register and use provisional ballots to cast their votes
Where can I drop off my ballot in Merced County?
The Merced County Registrar of Voters maintains vote centers and ballot drop-off boxes across the county.
Here’s a list of places to return your ballot in person on Election Day, according to the Merced County website:
- City of Atwater — 750 Bellevue Road, Atwater
- Merced County Fire Department, No. 92 Ballico Station — 11284 Ballico Ave., Ballico
- Liberty Market — 16385 Schendel Ave., Delhi
- City of Dos Palos — 2174 Blossom St., Dos Palos
- City of Gustine — 352 Fifth St., Gustine
- Merced County Library, Le Grand Branch — 12949 Le Grand Road, Le Grand
- City of Livingston — 1416 C St., Livingston
- City of Los Banos — 520 J St., Los Banos
- Merced College Los Banos Campus, Student Services Building — 22240 Highway 152, Los Banos
- City of Merced — 678 West 18th St., Merced
- Elections Central Count Facility — 250 East 15th St., Merced
- Merced County Administration Building, Lobby — 2222 M St., Merced
- Merced County Administration Parking Lot, Drive Up — 2222 M St., Merced
- UC Merced, Student Government Granite Pass, Room 174 — 5400 North Lake Road, Merced
- Merced County Library, Santa Nella Branch — 29188 West Centinella Drive, Santa Nella
- Merced County Library, Snelling Branch — 15916 Highway 59, Snelling
- Merced County Fire Department, No. 97 Stevinson Station — 2738 Lander Ave., Stevinson
Where can I vote in person in Merced County?
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Don’t wait to cast your ballot, as you can do it by mail, ballot drop box or in person at the Merced County Elections Office or any of our five vote centers located throughout the county,” the county said on its website.
Here’s where you can find Merced County vote centers:
- Atwater Community Center — 760 East Bellevue Road, Atwater
- Los Banos Community Center — 645 7th St., Los Banos
- American Legion Post 83, Main Hall — 939 West Main St., Merced
- Shattuck Community Hall — 10078 Vincent Road, Delhi
- Merced College, Public Safety Center, Building One — 3600 M St., Merced
Do I still have time to mail my ballot in Merced County?
If you don’t plan to visit a voting center or drop box location in Merced County, you can mail your ballot on Election Day.
While a recent U.S. Postal Service policy change could cause delays for voters living more than 50 miles from a regional mail hub, there is still time to mail your ballot, according to elections officials.
Voters who missed the Oct. 28 mailing deadline should take their ballot directly to a post office and ask for a hand-stamped postmark to make sure it’s counted, San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano told The Tribune in San Luis Obispo.
A postmark will ensure your ballot is counted on time, according to a news release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.
“And remember: You have other options, like dropping your ballot off at a vote center or in a secure drop box,” Bonta said. “Our election laws provide the backbone for a free and fair election, and as California’s top law enforcement officer, I will do everything in my power to protect your right to vote.”
How do I track my ballot for California special election?
According to state elections officials, you can stay updated by signing up online for Where’s My Ballot?
Powered by BallotTrax, Where’s My Ballot? lets voters know when their mail-in ballots have been sent out, received by the county and accepted online.
