What you should know for voting in Merced County

The Merced County registrar of voters wants to spread the word about voting-related information ahead of the November election.

Voters can verify they are registered to vote or can find their polling place by calling the Merced County elections office at 209-385-7541 or by visiting www.mercedelections.com, according to Barbara Levey, the registrar.

The website also allows voters to view their sample ballot or print a reference sheet that they can take to the polls on Election Day, which is Nov. 8.

“Voting is the most important thing we, as Americans, do and ensuring that the process is conducted legally and fairly is vital to our democracy,” Levey said in a statement. “I am proud of this office and the numerous election volunteers who have made our past elections legitimate and efficient and who will no doubt do so in November.”

Vote-by-mail ballots have been sent to voters who previously registered for the ballots, the release said. The office also continues to accept requests for vote-by-mail ballots through Nov. 1, according to Levey. Requests for those ballots can be made by calling the office.

Levey noted that vote-by-mail ballots in yellow envelopes require a single stamp.

Ballots also were mailed to a number of voters throughout the county who live in precincts designated as “all mail,” Levey said. The precincts are designated that way because of low voter registration numbers, Levey said, so all voters get vote-by-mail ballots. Those ballots, which are in green envelopes, don’t require any postage.

Ballots can also be dropped off at any of the county’s drop boxes, which are at each town’s city hall and at the north entrance of the Merced County administration building, 2222 M St., Merced.

The Merced County elections office will begin processing ballots Tuesday, though the results will not be released until the close of polls on Election Day, Levey said. A ballot tracker also is available at the elections website.

“Ballots received by my office prior to Election Day will be processed and will constitute the very first results we release on Nov. 8,” Levey said in the release. “Every ballot legally cast, whether mailed, dropped off or cast at the polls, is processed and counted by my office.”

Levey said ensuring the “integrity of elections” was her top priority.

“My staff and I work every day to review, and enforce, processes and procedures to be sure that we provide a transparent, accessible, secure and accurate election. Being entrusted to provide these services is an honor,” Levey said.

The registrar’s office also wants to remind residents that if they are approached by anyone offering to register them to vote, they should always complete all parts of a registration form before affixing a signature. No one should sign a form and allow someone else to complete the form without it being reviewed by the resident.

The last day to register to vote is Monday. Ballots must be postmarked by or on Election Day or must be dropped in a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Nov. 8.

This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 4:10 PM with the headline "What you should know for voting in Merced County."