Nov. 4 update
As of about 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, Measure B tallied 58% of votes in favor of the tax.
The Merced County Registrar of Voters office will next update results no later than 5 p.m. Friday.
Original story
Merced voters showed early support for a citywide one-cent sales tax, according to preliminary election results.
If approved, Measure B would enact a one-cent tax for every dollar spent within city limits. It’s expected to generate $18 million in revenue annually and would remain in effect indefinitely, unless ended by voters.
City officials say the sales tax will be used to make up for projected revenue losses in the coming years and go toward services such as roads, parks and public safety personnel.
Support for the measure drew 57.9%, or 7,016 votes in favor Tuesday at 10:54 p.m. Ballots will continue to be counted. The measure requires a simple majority vote to pass.
Merced County Registrar of Voter Melvin Levey has said he expects to certify the election results by Nov. 30. California county election offices must report results to the Secretary of State by Dec. 4. Election results will then be finalized a week later, on Dec. 11.
Measure B asked voters to respond “yes” or “no” to the following question on the ballot:
“Shall the measure to maintain local quality of life/general city services such as 911, police, emergency, medical, natural disaster response, responding quickly to neighborhood fires, retaining firefighters, gang prevention, addressing homelessness, fixing roads (and) potholes, and keeping parks safe/clean by establishing a one cent sales tax, providing approximately $18 million annually until ended by voters, with public disclosure, independent audits, citizen oversight, and all funds for Merced, be adopted?”
While the results have not been finalized yet, Ashley Marie Suarez, a policy advocate at Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, said it’s looking likely the measure will pass. Suarez previously voiced opposition to the tax. She hopes there’s an opportunity for public input moving forward.
“I hope local elected officials take the initiative and time to listen to all the things the community has said in the past,” Suarez said, referring to residents’ requests for city leaders to fund housing programs, tenant programs and youth programs.
Supporters of the measure say early results are exciting. Revenue losses are expected as federal SAFER grants are set to expire in March 2027. Firefighting positions under this grant will be covered by the general fund instead.
The city previously approved Measure C in 2024, which was a half-cent public sales tax. Unlike Measure B, it expires in 2044 and is a special tax to support public safety and roads.
“I think ultimately the community understood the needs of the city and they’re willing to pay extra to hopefully maintain fire staffing and also have nicer things throughout the city,” said Austin Johnson, president of Merced Fire Union.
Mayor Matthew Serratto echoed that sentiment. Initial support for the measure was surprising – and higher than expected.
There are 137,293 people registered to vote in Merced County as of Oct. 19, according to the California Secretary of State. That’s a little more than 77% of the county population.
So far, 27.76% of the county’s registered voters cast their ballot as of 10:54 p.m. Tuesday.
