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The Merced FOCUS had our reporters out and about at the election parties Tuesday night.

Plus, journalists also made a stop at the Merced County Registration of Voters‘ Election Warehouse, to watch ballots being counted. 

Even though Election Day may be in the rear view for some, there are still more votes to count at the Merced County Registrar of Voters. The next results are expected to come no later than 5 p.m Friday, Nov. 6.  

Election officials will also be working diligently not only on counting ballots, but  “curing” them as well. 

Ballot curing comes into play when complications result in the ballot being challenged. For example, a signature might not match the one on file for the voter, or the signature is missing altogether.

When that happens, election workers request another signature from the voter to make sure the ballot can be processed. Those ballots that have been verified are “cured.” 

Here are some of the sights from Election Day 2026 in Merced County:

Renee Smyth, 57, of Merced, left, an extra help special projects coordinator, and Sayra Sanchez, 27, of Modesto, right, an election technical analyst, prepare ballots to be tabulated at the Merced County Elections Warehouse in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Renee Smyth, 57, of Merced, left, an extra help special projects coordinator, and Sayra Sanchez, 27, of Modesto, right, an election technical analyst, prepare ballots to be tabulated at the Merced County Elections Warehouse in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Andrew Kuhn / The Merced FOCUS
Ballots are placed into trays prior to being tabulated at the Merced County
Ballots are placed into trays prior to being tabulated at the Merced County Elections Warehouse in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn) Credit: Andrew Kuhn / The Merced FOCUS
Vote by mail drop-off ballots arrive at the Merced County Elections Warehouse in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)
A line of students are shown at a polling place on the campus of UC Merced on Election Day 2026. Photo by Esther Quintanilla/The Merced FOCUS
California State Senate District 14 candidate Darin DuPont checks his phone during an election night watch party at Five Ten Bistro in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Merced District 6 City Council Candidate John Bliss is shown at his election night party.
Merced District 6 City Council Candidate John Bliss is shown at his election night party. Photo by Christian De Jesus Betancourt/The Merced FOCUS Credit: Christian De Jesus Betancourt / The Merced FOCUS
United States Congressional District 13 incumbent candidate Adam Gray speaks with friends and supporters during an election night watch party at Blaker Brewing – The Tarmac in Atwater, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)
Alejandro Galicia, 26, left, campaign manager for California State Assembly District 27 candidate Brian Pacheco, and campaign coordinator Areej Latif, 37, right, look at election results during an election night watch party at Blaker Brewing – The Tarmac in Atwater, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)
An election night watch party for California State Senate District 14 candidate Darin DuPont at Five Ten Bistro in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)
Ana Boyenga, candidate for Merced County Superintendent of Schools, is shown at her campaign party on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Ana Boyenga, candidate for Merced County Superintendent of Schools, is shown at her campaign party on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Rachel Livinal / The Merced FOCUS
California State Assembly District 27 candidate Brian Pacheco during an election night watch party at Blaker Brewing – The Tarmac in Atwater, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)
California State Assembly District 27 candidate Mike Murphy speaks with supporters during an election night watch party at Bella Luna in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)
United States Congressional District 13 incumbent candidate Adam Gray speaks with media during an election night watch party at Blaker Brewing – The Tarmac in Atwater, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)
United States Congressional District 13 incumbent candidate Adam Gray looks at election results during an election night watch party at Blaker Brewing – The Tarmac in Atwater, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)
California State Assembly District 27 candidate Brian Pacheco, right, and United States Congressional District 13 candidate Adam Gray, left, speak with supporters during an election night watch party at Blaker Brewing – The Tarmac in Atwater, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Andrew Kuhn)