Title
Resolution to Approve the Locations for Early Voting Centers for Even-Year State and National Elections
Memorandum
Michigan voters approved Proposition 2022-2 at the November 8, 2022 General Election amending the Michigan Constitution to guarantee voters the right to vote early in State and federal elections for a minimum of nine days prior to Election Day, and to tabulate their own early vote ballot at an Early Voting Center. Under the new requirements, all voters must have an opportunity to vote early for at least eight hours per day during the early voting period, which begins two Saturdays ahead of Election Day and ends on the Sunday just prior to Election Day.
The City successfully implemented early voting in 2024 over the course of three elections - Presidential Primary, the August Primary, and the November Presidential General Election. Ann Arbor had one of the highest early voting turnouts in Michigan, with the convenient AADL branch locations, flexible evening hours, as well as a City Hall location and two campus sites, co-located with our satellite voting offices.
The City Clerk’s Office is proposing to continue essentially the same Early Voting Plan that was established in 2024 for all future even-year elections. This plan includes the use of six locations for Presidential Primary and even-year General Elections: City Hall, UMMA, Duderstadt Center, Traverwood Library, Malletts Creek Library, and Westgate Library for the required nine days. The August Primary will operate for the nine days, but without the two campus locations. All sites are open and available to all City voters.
Michigan Election Law, MCL 168.662(1) requires the approval of the location of early voting centers by the City Council, similar to the process for establishing a polling place. The exact dates and times that each location will be open to voters will be determined closer to each Election. Currently, the EV site at City Hall operates on a 9am - 5pm schedule, with the other sites operating 11am - 7pm.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The City Clerk’s Office has an approved budget for early voting. The University of Michigan and the District Library do not charge for the use of their spaces.
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed and Approved by: City Election Commission
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Article IV, Section 4 (m) of the Michigan Constitution establishes the right for all Michigan voters to vote early at an early voting site for nine days beginning the second Saturday before each federal election and ending on the Sunday prior to Election Day;
Whereas, Early voting must be available to every voter for at least eight hours per day during the mandatory nine-day period;
Whereas, Michigan Election Law, MCL 168.662(1) requires the approval of the location of early voting centers by the City Council, similar to the process for establishing a polling place;
Whereas, The University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor District Library have agreed to host early voting locations for Ann Arbor City voters;
Whereas, The City Clerk already provides full-service voter registration and absentee ballot services at City Hall and two satellite offices on the campus of the University of Michigan; and
Whereas, The City Clerk, in consultation with the City Election Commission, will establish the exact dates and times that each site is available to voters;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council approves the following locations for early voting for national elections in 2026 and all future even-year elections, as recommended by the Ann Arbor City Clerk:
August Primary Election
• City Hall - 301 E. Huron Street
• Traverwood Branch Library - 3333 Traverwood Drive
• Mallets Creek Branch Library - 3090 E. Eisenhower
• Westgate Branch Library - 2503 Jackson Avenue
November General Election and Presidential Primary Election
• U-M Museum of Art - 525 S. State Street
• The Duderstadt Center - 2281 Bonisteel Blvd.
• City Hall - 301 E. Huron Street
• Traverwood Branch Library - 3333 Traverwood Drive
• Mallets Creek Branch Library - 3090 E. Eisenhower
• Westgate Branch Library - 2503 Jackson Avenue
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 and the Ann Arbor District Library for use of the spaces.
Sponsored by: City Election Commission