Voter's Choice Act

Merced County Registrar of Voters - Voters Choice Act

Voter's Choice Act (VCA)

The Voter's Choice Act is a law passed by the California State Legislature in 2016. Merced County successfully implemented the VCA model in 2021. Dozens of counties in California are now VCA adopters.

With the VCA Model:

  1. Every active registered voter receives a Vote by Mail ballot starting 29 days before Election Day.
  2. Voters can vote in person at any of the Vote Centers in Merced County.
  3. Voters who want to vote in person may do so for 11 days, including weekends, at some Vote Centers or for 4 days at all Vote Centers.
  4. Vote Centers offer more space, additional services, and new enhanced voting equipment.

VOTERS have more options and get to choose WHEN, WHERE, and HOW to vote!

  • VOTE BY MAIL
    • You can vote and mail your ballot, no postage required.
  • DROP BOXES
    • You can drop off your voted ballot at any secure Official Drop Box, no postage required.
  • VOTE CENTER 
    • If you don’t want to vote the ballot that was mailed to you, you can vote at any Vote Center in Merced County.
    • You have up to 11 days, including weekends, to vote or return your ballot at a Vote Center.
    • You can do any of the following at a Vote Center:
      • Vote in person
      • Register to Vote or Update Your Registration and vote the same day
      • Drop off your voted ballot
      • Get a replacement ballot
      • Vote on an accessible ballot marking device
      • Get help and voting materials in multiple languages 



2025 Merced County Election Administration Plan (EAP) Addendum

Merced County certified its Election Administration Plan (EAP) in 2023. That certification is valid until 2027. In advance of the November 4, 2025 Statewide Special Election, however, the Registrar of Voters determined that two proposed changes to vote center operations should be added to the 2023 EAP. The Registrar of Voters has decided to keep the 2023 Election Administration Plan unchanged and rather publish this addendum to reflect the two minor vote center operational updates for 2025. This addendum to the 2023 Plan serves as an official update to that plan and will allow the Registrar to substitute ballot on demand printers at vote centers with additional accessible ballot marking devices and deploy secure ballot boxes in lieu of poll place tabulators so that all ballots can be tabulated centrally. These changes will reduce the complexity and cost to operate vote centers while increasing security and improving the overall in-person voter experience.

Public Notice of 14 Day Comment Period for Election Administration Plan Addendum (As of October 6, 2025)


Merced County 2025 DRAFT Election Administration Plan (EAP) Addendum


Make a comment on the draft by emailing us at [email protected].



2023 Merced County Election Administration Plan (EAP)

The Voter's Choice Act (VCA) requires each participating county to create an Election Administration Plan (EAP) through a process of public input and public hearings. The EAP is required to describe how the county will administer elections under the VCA and include their plans to educate and reach out to the public. State law requires the Secretary of State to accept, reject or accept with modifications the education and outreach provisions of the EAP. Merced County is renewing its EAP prior to the 2024 election cycle. Below, you will find the notice regarding our public comment and hearing periods. In addition, you will find the current draft of the Merced County EAP so that you may reach out to the Registrar of Voters with comments.

Merced County 2023 Final Election Administration Plan (EAP)

Public Notice of 14 Day Comment Period for Amended Draft Election Administration Plan (As of October 11, 2023)

Merced County Amended Draft Election Administration Plan (EAP) (As of October 11, 2023)

Public Notice of 14 Day Comment Period and Public Hearing on August 30, 2023 (As of August 15, 2023)

Merced County Draft Election Administration Plan (EAP) (As of August 15, 2023)

Make a comment on the draft by emailing us at [email protected].



Election Administration Plan Archived Documents

Merced County 2021 Final Election Administration Plan (EAP)

Supplemental


Secretary of State