Title
Resolution to Permanently Relocate the Polling Place for Precinct 1-9 from Clague Middle School, 2616 Nixon Road, to Logan Elementary School, 2685 Traver Boulevard, for all Future City Elections and to Establish Permanent Polling Locations for New Precincts 1-11, 1-12, 3-10 and 5-12
Memorandum
The City Clerk’s Office is proposing to permanently relocate the polling location for Ward 1, Precinct 9 (Clague Middle School) to Logan Elementary, 2685 Traver Boulevard. Currently Precinct 1-9 shares a location with second ward precinct 2-6 at Clague Middle School; however, due to recently approved precinct expansion by the City Election Commission, a new Precinct 1-11 has been created at Logan Elementary School. To allow for consolidated precincts in local elections, the Clerk’s Office is proposing to move 1-9 to Logan to be co-located with the new 1-11. This will also allow for possible future precinct expansion in Ward Two to co-locate precincts again at Clague. The proposed new location, Logan Elementary School, is much closer geographically to the voters in this precinct, is in Ward One, has ample parking, and accessible space for Election Day activities.
Pursuant to Michigan Election Law, City Council approval is required to designate and prescribe the place or places of holding an election in the City.
The City Clerk’s Office is requesting the polling place change be effective with the May 8, 2018 Special AAPS election. Signage will be posted at Clague Middle School and election inspectors at Clague will be aware of the change to direct any voters who may still arrive at the former location. In addition, new permanent voter identification cards will be issued to all affected voters and the City’s website will be used to communicate the change.
In addition to the polling location change for Ward 1, Precinct 9 voters, the City Election Commission established the following new precincts, authorized with the approval of the FY2018 budget to address long lines and increased voter turnout in November even-year elections:
1-11 Logan Elementary School, 2685 Traver Boulevard
1-12 Michigan Union, 530 S. State Street
3-10 Tappan Middle School, 2251 E. Stadium Boulevard
5-12 Forsythe Middle School, 1655 Newport Boulevard
New precinct 1-11 was the result of splitting precinct 1-9, due to its current size and the anticipation of new voters in the Nixon Road development projects. New precinct 1-12 was the result of splitting precinct 1-1 at the Michigan Union, due to long lines on campus during the 2016 Presidential Election. New precinct 3-10 at Tappan Middle School was created by reducing the number of registered voters in Precincts 3-4 and 3-7 at Allen School and Precinct 3-3 at Tappan to create a fourth precinct from the three. The creation of 3-10 also allowed for the elimination of the split County Commissioner district in 3-7, moving all County Commissioner 8 voters to precinct 3-4. New precinct 5-12 was created at Forsythe Middle School, splitting existing precinct 5-11, the City’s highest voter turnout precinct into two smaller precincts. Finally, the boundary between precincts 5-2, Bach School, and 5-6, Eberwhite Elementary, was adjusted to balance the number of registered voters between the two identical precincts.
The City Election Commission approved the new precincts and precinct boundary changes. Note that the changes do not result in redistricting; they are only changes to the number of registered voters assigned at any one polling site. All assigned districts remain unchanged until the next Census. City Council approval of the polling locations is requested.
Maps identifying the new precincts and the new polling places are attached.
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Matt Thomas, Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Sponsored by: City Election Commission
Body
Whereas, Logan Elementary School at 2685 Traver Blvd. has agreed to be the new polling location for Precinct 1-9 and newly created Precinct 1-11;
Whereas, Logan Elementary School is geographically more convenient for Precinct 1-9 voters, is in Ward 1, and has ample parking available and accessible space for voting;
Whereas, Michigan Election Law, 168.662 (1), requires that the legislative body in each city shall designate and prescribe the place or places of holding an election in the city, and shall provide a suitable polling place for each precinct for use at each election; and
Whereas, The City Election Commission has established four new precincts effective February 2018;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the permanent relocation of the polling place for Precinct 1-9 to Logan Elementary School located at 2685 Traver Blvd., for all future City elections;
RESOLVED, That City Council acknowledge and approve the locations established by the City Election Commission for newly created precincts:
1-11 Logan Elementary, 2685 Traver Blvd.
1-12 Michigan Union, 530 S. State Street
3-10 Tappan Middle School, 2251 E. Stadium Blvd.
5-12 Forsythe Middle School, 1655 Newport Road
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk notify all affected voters of the polling location changes as required under Michigan Election Law; and
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk be authorized to take all other action necessary to implement this resolution.
Sponsored by: City Election Commission