Merced Measure B: Yes Leads With 7,495 Votes on Proposed Sales Tax Increase

MERCED, Merced County — November 4, 2026. Merced voters are showing early majority support for Measure B, a proposed one-percentage-point city sales-tax increase.

Preliminary results

The November 4 preliminary tally is 7,495 Yes (58.2%) to 5,388 No (41.8%). The proposed change would increase the combined sales tax rate from 8.25% to 9.25% if adopted.

What the vote means locally

The city estimated the measure could raise about $18 million annually, but that is a projection, not money already collected. Measure B is a general tax: the revenue is not legally restricted to one named program. Approval requires a simple majority and the official vote remains uncertified.

Counting is not finished

These results are based on the election returns available on the morning of November 4, 2026, generally updated through 2:07 a.m. Pacific. Officials still must examine and count eligible ballots received after the election-night snapshot. Only the county’s completed canvass and certification establish final outcomes. The names and totals above are not a fresh November 5 count.

Sources: Los Banos Enterprise — Merced County election results, November 4, reporting county election returns; Merced County Elections — official results portal. See California58 election coverage.

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