If you live in southwest Merced, and you’re interested in representing the area on the Merced City Council, you don’t have to go through a long, drawn-out and costly election process.
All you have to do is apply.
Ace a public interview.
And the position is yours.
Well, at least for about 11 months until the next general election comes around.
The Merced City Council on Monday night officially accepted the resignation of District 2 Councilmember Ronnie De Anda, declared his seat vacant, and directed city staff to immediately begin an application process to gather candidates so that leaders can make an appointment to fill the empty position through November of 2026 when De Anda’s term was to expire.
District 2 includes an area south of W. 13th Street, between V and G streets, and includes the Wardrobe Avenue industrial district and the Merced Airport, and extends out past Childs Avenue toward Mission Avenue.
Announcements on how to apply can be found on the homepage of the city’s website: https://www.cityofmerced.gov/home
You will be able to apply online, or pick up an application at the City Clerk’s office at the Civic Center.
The questions on the application are straight-forward, much like those for appointments to city commissions, such as the Planning Commission. They relate to experience, the desire to run, knowledge of city and district issues, and how one can make a difference. A resume can also be submitted.
The deadline to apply is Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.
That’s because, according to the City Charter, the Council has 30 days to appoint a representative. Leaders scheduled Dec. 2 as the date when public interviews with candidates will be held at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the Civic Center. Each council member will be able to directly question the candidates. A decision is also expected that night. Dec. 3 would be the Council’s deadline to make an appointment before a special election is triggered.
On Monday night, a majority of the Council expressed a preference to make an appointment, rather than call a special election that might be scheduled sometime in early spring.
Councilman Shane Smith said his decision was all about the timing of the vacancy.
“We have an opportunity, as stewards of our city, to take public comment and distill it, and get the seat filled, so that District 2 is represented most quickly. It’s also the more cost-effective option. … I have a hard time justifying spending probably a hundred grand or more to run a city-only election at a time when there is no other election. And leaving the seat unfilled potentially into the middle or end of the spring. And then whoever wins the seat in the special election, well, everybody’s just going to turn right around, and start gearing up for the regular D2 election that’s happening in November [2026]”
According to the county registrar, rough cost estimates for Merced to hold a “mail-in” special election would be around $50,000 to $60,000.
Councilman Mike Harris said he was concerned that an election would leave an even, six-member council for a period of time, and leaders would have to face the possibility of “not having a tie-breaking vote, or not being able to pass a budget item with a majority.”
Councilwoman Sarah Boyle agreed, saying: “I don’t like that there could be a potential vacancy for more than 30 days. I think that’s a huge disservice to the district — not having someone sit in that seat, and to help make decisions and be that voice.”
Only one Council member voiced support for a special election, and that was Fue Xiong.
“Democracy isn’t easy,” the councilman said. “It’s not convenient. We hear that the cost of it is something that should deter us from having an election. That’s just absurd to me. … I think it is more important to have the voices of the people.”
Mayor Matt Serratto predicted that there are more people willing to go through an appointment process than there are those who would consider a months-long political campaign to win the seat.
Councilman Smith said he was sure there would be robust interest for the Dist. 2 seat, and warned that the public interview process has the potential of getting a little raucous. He cited his previous experience with appointments to the Merced City School District, both as an applicant and elected trustee.
Smith also warned about the possibility of someone applying for the Dist. 2 seat who wasn’t living in the district. The councilman expressed uncertainty about the official City Charter specifically addressing such a topic. Years ago, Smith was part of a select committee that helped the city amend the City Charter and draw up representative districts for City Council elections. The City Attorney, who advised leaders that the appointment should be made from a Dist. 2 candidate pool, was directed to look into the matter.
In other Council news
Merced leaders set dates for the 2026 Community Town Halls.
Here they are:
• Thursday, Jan. 8
• Tuesday, Jan. 13
• Wednesday, Jan. 14
They will be held in Districts 2, 4, and 6, but specific locations are yet to be announced.
Stay tuned to the County Times for more information in the coming weeks!