The choice of Merced law enforcement, firefighters, and labor.
"John Bliss has a record built on helping others. I trust John to be a champion for safe streets and support the men and women who protect our neighborhoods."
— Vern Warnke,
Merced County Sheriff
Endorsements:
Jim Pacheco, Merced County Supervisor
Daron McDaniel, Merced County Supervisor
Lloyd Pareira, Jr., Merced County Supervisor
Scott Silveira, Merced County Supervisor
Kevin Blake, Fmr. Merced City Councilmember
Delray Shelton, Fmr. Merced City Councilmember
Merced City Firefighters, IAFF Local 1479
Merced Police Officers Association
Citizens for the Betterment of Merced County
North Coast States Carpenters Union
Valley Building & Construction Trades Council
Laborers International Union of North America, Laborers' Local #1130
Merced Boosters
Jessica Hinman
Coach Paster
Zam George Zambelli
Father. Teacher. Coach.
A lifetime invested in Merced.
John Bliss has never known a home other than Merced. He grew up in this town, was educated in its schools, and has spent his entire adult life giving back to the community that raised him. For John, District 6 isn't a district on a map — it's the streets he's walked his whole life and the community where he raised his kids.
For nearly 40 years, John taught high school history at Merced County Schools, where he saw firsthand what Merced families need to succeed: safe neighborhoods, good schools, and a local economy that gives their kids a reason to stay.
Outside the classroom, he coached basketball with his children and countless students, spending seasons building discipline, teamwork, and character in Merced's next generation.
This spring, John's recent retirement opened a rare opportunity: the chance to serve Merced full-time. After decades spent teaching and coaching the city's kids, he's ready to bring that same hands-on commitment to City Hall.
Voting Locations
Ballot Drop Boxes
Drop off your Vote-by-Mail ballot from Oct. 5 through 8pm on Election Day, Nov. 3.
-
Merced County Administration Parking Lot (Drive-Up), 2222 M Street, Merced, CA 95340. Open 24 hours, every day. Election Day: until 8pm
-
Merced County Administration Building Lobby, 2222 M Street, Merced, CA 95340. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Election Day: 7am–8pm
-
City of Merced, 678 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Election Day: 8am–5pm
-
Merced County Library – Merced Branch, 2100 O Street, Merced, CA 95340. Mon & Thu 10am–6pm, Tue–Wed 10am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10am–5pm, closed Sunday. Election Day: 10am–8pm
-
UC Merced ASUCM – Student Government, Granite Pass Room 174, 5400 N. Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Election Day: 8am–8pm
-
Elections Central Count Facility, 250 E. 15th Street, Merced, CA 95341. Election Day only: 7am–8pm
Vote Centers
Vote in person, drop off your ballot, register and vote same-day, accessible voting, and language help.
Open 11 Days: Saturday, Oct. 24 – Tuesday, Nov. 3
Daily 8am–4pm | Election Day 7am–8pm
-
American Legion Post 83 – Main Hall, 939 W. Main Street, Merced, CA 95340
Open 4 Days: Saturday, Oct. 31 – Tuesday, Nov. 3
Sat–Mon 8am–4pm | Election Day 7am–8pm
-
Christian Life Center, 650 E. Olive Avenue, Merced, CA 95340
-
Merced County Fairgrounds – Tioga Hall, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced, CA 95341
-
St. Patrick's Catholic Church – Parish Hall, 671 E. Yosemite Avenue, Merced, CA 95340
-
UC Merced ASUCM – Student Government, Granite Pass Room 174, 5400 N. Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343
Safe streets, strong public safety.
Roads and infrastructure that work.
Fully staff the Merced police and fire departments to shorten response times, back the officers and first responders who put their lives on the line, and enforce anti-camping and nuisance laws consistently.
Repair potholes and improve road conditions in every neighborhood, prioritize long-term street maintenance, and upgrade traffic signals to ease congestion and keep District 6 moving safely.
Growing a strong local economy.
Keep downtown clean and safe for jobs and events, cut red tape and streamline permits for small businesses, improve lighting and public spaces, and bring families and students back downtown.
Homelessness: accountability with care.
Expand partnerships with county mental health and addiction services, prioritize transitional housing and job placement, and consistently enforce the laws that protect neighborhoods and businesses.