Melvin E. Levey was appointed as the Merced County Registrar of Voters on January 10, 2023. As the Registrar, he leads the Elections Department and provides eligible citizens of Merced County with the widespread and ongoing opportunities to register and vote in fair and accurate elections for all federal, state, and local offices and measures; and provides access to the information needed to utilize the initiative, referendum, and recall petition processes. In addition, the Department provides other critical services to the residents of Merced County, such as U.S. Passport applications and processing.
Mel’s career in service began in 2003 with his admittance to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Commissioned as an officer in the United States Army in 2007, he led American soldiers in combat across three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning numerous awards, including three Bronze Stars. Mel’s duties during this period included leading counterinsurgency operations and strengthening governance through various measures such as assisting in security and operations during Iraq’s 2010 National Elections. In 2014, Mel left the Army and ran for office to represent a stretch of the San Joaquin Valley in the U.S. House of Representatives, focusing his campaign on key issues including access to education opportunities, sound water policy, and veterans’ rights. Later, he worked for the Bipartisan Policy Center, helping to draft a report on building a flexible personnel system for the modern U.S. military. In 2016, Mel began working with KippsDeSanto and Co., a Washington, D.C. area investment bank advising aerospace, defense, and government services companies on strategy, mergers, and acquisitions. He then took a senior role managing investments and investor relations for a venture-capital backed financial technology startup before cofounding his own startup late in 2020. That company, Joint Homes, offers tailored housing to military service members who are able to build wealth while renting.
Mel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Mel was born and raised in Merced, a region his family has called home for more than 150 years. His family has a strong history of service to our nation and to the Merced community.
