Deadline set in filing to run for Merced high school district

Those interested in serving a two-year term on the Merced Union High School District board of trustees have about a month’s time to file for a spot on May’s special mail-only election ballot.

Prospective candidates who live in the district’s Trustee Area 3, which encompasses parts of Winton, Livingston and Snelling, have between Jan. 12 and Feb. 6 to complete a Declaration of Candidacy form, available at the Merced County Elections Office.

Trustee Sam Spangler resigned Sept. 30 after serving since January 2008; the board deadlocked 2-2 on two occasions on appointing a replacement for Spangler. After 60 days elapsed, state law required that an election be held.

Barbara Levey, county registrar of voters, said the May 5 special election will involve mail-in ballots only.

She said about 10,000 voters reside in the trustee area, which extends from the northern Merced County boundary and is roughly bordered by Santa Fe Drive, Bellevue Road and La Grange Road. It’s the biggest of the five trustee areas geographically.

An all-mail election will be less expensive than a special election, in which voting equipment must be located at a polling place and precinct workers hired, Levey said. Residents in the trustee area will get sample ballots and mail-in ballots.

Levey said turnout is generally better for mail-in ballot elections. Her office is developing a cost estimate for the district.

Trustees get the same health benefits as district employees and earn $400 a month. Spangler’s term runs through December 2016; the 47-year-old has served as a sheriff’s deputy for 22 years.

When trustees were first considering an appointment to fill Spangler’s seat, five people indicated interest. They were Marie Gonzales and Jerry Moore, both of Winton, Rose Connolly and Robert Weimer, both of Atwater, and Frank Vierra of Livingston.

This story was originally published January 9, 2015 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Deadline set in filing to run for Merced high school district."