Title
Resolution to Approve the Location and Hours of City Clerk Satellite Offices on the University of Michigan Campus for the November 5, 2024 General Election at the UM Museum of Art (UMMA) and Duderstadt Center
Memorandum
Upon the direction of the City Council, the City Clerk opened a satellite office at the UM Museum of Art for the November 2020 General Election. The satellite office at UMMA was widely lauded in the elections community and the University community as a great success, providing maximum exposure, access and visibility for voter registration opportunities and access to absentee (early) ballots for the campus community during the height of the pandemic.
Since that first satellite project, the City Clerk’s Office, in partnership with the UMich Votes coalition, has expanded to a presence in major elections at both UMMA and the Duderstadt Center on North Campus. 2024 plans and improvements at both locations include the expansion of both sites to include early vote centers in addition to the full service satellite office functions. Voters now have the opportunity to register to vote, request absentee ballots to take home, or choose to vote early on site. The first implementation of early voting took place during the February 27, 2024 Presidential Primary election.
For the November 5 General Election, the satellite office on north campus will return to the Duderstadt Center location. Beginning September 24, the UMMA location will be open Monday through Friday prior to early voting to accommodate anticipated high interest in voter registration and absentee ballots. Beginning October 21, the Duderstadt Center location will be open on the same schedule to meet anticipated community interest and needs. Both satellite office locations will be open to voters for the nine-day early voting period, beginning Saturday, October 26. The offices will be open for registration following the conclusion of early voting and will continue to issue ballots on Monday and Tuesday to anyone registering to vote up to 8 p.m. on Election Day. In addition, the UMMA office will be open special evening hours on Friday, September 27 for Feel Good Friday.
Michigan Election Law requires the approval of the location and hours by the City Council, similar to the process for establishing a polling place.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The City Clerk’s Office has an approved budget for the set-up, acquisition of materials and supplies, and for staffing of a satellite office. The University is not charging for the use of the space in the museum or at the Duderstadt Center.
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Matt Thomas, Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Article II, Section 4 of the Michigan Constitution established the following rights: 1) Absentee balloting for all voters who choose to vote in that manner; 2) Voter registration any time before and during election day; 3) Voting immediately upon registration; and 4) Availability of at least eight hours during the Saturday or Sunday prior to an election during which time citizens may register and or vote;
Whereas, Michigan Election Law, MCL 168.761b(3), permits the clerk of a city to specify additional locations and hours that the clerk will be available to issue and receive absent voter ballots, upon the approval by resolution of the governing body of a city;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Council enacted R-19-524, a Resolution to Develop a Plan to Expand Access to Voting and Registration Beyond the Minimum Required by the Michigan Constitution for Even-Year November General Elections;
Whereas, R-19-524, directed that the plan includes registration and absentee balloting at a satellite location designed to improve access over exclusive reliance on the Office of the City Clerk in City Hall for even-year November General Elections;
Whereas, It is expected that the General Election on November 5, 2024 will generate interest in voter registration, absentee ballots, and early voting by the campus community;
Whereas, The UMMA is a well-known landmark on the University of Michigan Campus accessible to students, other members of the campus community, and the general public; and
Whereas, Duderstadt Center serves the University of Michigan north campus community;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council acknowledges and approves the following locations and hours for satellite city clerk offices for the General Election on November 5, 2024, as recommended by the Ann Arbor City Clerk:
University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• September 24 - October 25: Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, September 27 - 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Feel Good Friday)
• October 26 - November 3: Everyday, including Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 4: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 5: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
University of Michigan Duderstadt Center, 2281 Bonisteel, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• October 21 - October 25: Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• October 26 - November 3: Everyday, including Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 4: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 5: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
RESOLVED, That at least 30 days before the date of the election, the City Clerk shall post and notify the Secretary of State, concerning the additional locations and hours that the clerk will be available to issue and receive absent voter ballots at the satellite offices; and
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk and City Administrator be authorized to take all other action necessary to implement this resolution, including entering into an agreement with the University of Michigan for use of the space.