Title
Resolution to Permanently Relocate Precinct 1-4 from Second Baptist Church, 850 Red Oak Drive, to City Hall, 301 E. Huron Street, beginning with the Presidential Primary Election on March 10, 2020
Memorandum
Precinct 1-4 (Ward 1, Precinct 4), previously located at the Ann Arbor Community Center, 625 N. Main, was temporarily housed at Community High School during the 2017 elections for what was understood to be due to a temporary construction project at the Community Center. The City Clerk’s Office was planning to return to the Community Center for the 2018 elections and was notified in May 2018 by the Community Center that it was terminating its relationship with the City and would no longer be available for use by the City as a polling location. Due to the extremely short notice, the City Clerk’s Office was not able to secure a permanent polling location in time for the 2018 elections and the precinct was located temporarily at Second Baptist Church, home to Precinct 5-3, until a new downtown location could be secured for permanent relocation.
In 2019, the City Administrator, in consultation with members of the Executive Team, and pending City Council approval, authorized the use of City Hall as a permanent downtown location for Precinct 1-4. It was decided to seek approval for this change following the 2019 special elections.
At its meeting on Thursday, December 5, 2019, the City Election Commission recommended approval of the permanent relocation of Precinct 1-4 to City Hall, 301 E. Huron Street, recognizing the proximity of this downtown location to the registered voters, and the large available space and accessible entrance.
Upon approval by City Council, the City Clerk’s Office will mail new voter ID cards to each affected voter in Precinct 1-4, in addition to other City Communication methods, such as press releases, website posting, and social media. Signage will also be posted at Second Baptist Church on March 10, August 4 and November 3, 2020.
The City Clerk’s Office is requesting that City Council authorize the City Clerk and the City Administrator to take any necessary action to implement this resolution.
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Approved and Sponsored by: City Election Commission
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
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;
Whereas, Precinct 1-4 has been temporarily located at Second Baptist Church, 850 Red Oak Drive, since the termination of its arrangement at the Ann Arbor Community Center in May 2018; and
Whereas, The City Clerk’s Office has found a suitable downtown location to relocate Precinct 1-4;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the permanent relocation of Precinct 1-4 to City Hall, 301 E. Huron Street, beginning with the March 10, 2020 Presidential Primary Election; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator and the City Clerk be authorized to take all action necessary to implement this resolution.
Sponsored by: City Election Commission