As Merced County primary election approaches, how many ballots have been returned so far?
As Tuesday’s statewide primary election fast approaches, voters are already returning completed ballots to the Merced County Registrar of Voters Office.
The county elections department received 7,206 ballots as of Monday, Merced County Registrar of Voters Darlene Ingersoll told the Sun-Star.
Those votes will decide which candidates are elected to fill several contested local seats, including Merced County District Attorney and Superintendent of Schools.
The ballots returned so far represent just a small fraction of Merced County’s 123,858 active registered voters, but more ballots tend to roll in leading up to and during Election Day, according to Ingersoll.
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.
What’s on the primary election 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.
Other major roles up for grabs this primary include California Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, state Senate Districts 4 and 14 and state Assembly Districts 22 and 27.
A complete candidate list can be found on the county elections website.
Just one local measure will be on some Merced County voters’ ballots. Measure T asks voters whether they support a general obligation bond measure intended to modernize Merced River School District classrooms and replace outdated infrastructure.
If passed by at least 55% of registered voters, the school district will be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $3.5 million.
New Merced County election rules aim to facilitate voting
Next week’s primary marks the second time Merced County will conduct an election under the California Voter’s Choice Act.
The Voter’s Choice Act is intended to modernize elections by providing voters with greater flexibility and convenience. The act is aimed at giving the public more options concerning when, where and how to vote.
All registered voters are mailed a ballot 29 days before the election and can choose to vote by returning the ballot by mail, returning it to a drop box or visiting a Voting Assistance Center.
Voting Assistance Centers allow individuals to cast their ballot, vote with an accessible voting machine, drop off a mailed ballot, receive necessary assistance with voting and register to vote. May 23 was the last day to register to vote in the primary election, but conditional registration is still open until the day of the election.
Election materials are also available in multiple languages at the centers.
A complete list of Voting Assistance Centers and dropoff box locations around Merced County can be found on the county elections website. Some Voting Assistance Centers opened for early voting last week.
All centers will be open Saturday through Election Day on Tuesday. Election Day hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for both the county elections office and all Voting Assistance Centers.
Ballots returned by mail and postmarked no later than June 7 will be accepted through June 14.
Individuals who have yet to return their ballot but want to vote are advised to make a plan, Ingersoll said. Voting plans typically identify how, where and when a voter intends to cast their vote.
Ballots will start being canvassed by elections officials June 9 and continue until completed. The final day for the elections office to certify results is July 7.
The Merced County Registrar of Voters Office is available to answer any questions about the election. The office can be reached by phone via (209) 385-7541 or email at elections@countyofmerced.com.
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 9:46 AM.
