Title
Resolution to Approve the Location and Hours of City Clerk Satellite Offices on the University of Michigan Campus and Extend the Days Authorized for Early Voting for the November 3, 2026 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 improvements at both locations included the implementation of early vote centers and Election Day 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. Both locations, in addition to activities at City Hall, have been integral in the management of same-day voter registration.
For the November 3, 2026 General Election, the satellite office on north campus will return to the Duderstadt Center location for early voting only. Beginning October 1, the UMMA location will be open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. prior to early voting to accommodate anticipated high interest in voter registration and absentee ballots. Beginning Wednesday, October 21, the Duderstadt Center location will be open to meet anticipated community interest and needs. At this time, both locations will begin early voting, offering an additional three days beyond the required nine days of statewide early voting with hours from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The offices will be open for registration following the conclusion of early voting and the Election Day Vote Centers will be open on Tuesday, November 3.
Michigan Election Law requires the approval of the location and hours by the City Council, similar to the process for establishing a polling place.
The City Election Commission reviewed this resolution and recommended approval at their meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
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
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 3, 2026 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 3, 2026, as recommended by the Ann Arbor City Clerk:
University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• Thursday, October 1 - Tuesday, October 20: Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (closed Monday, October 12 for Indigenous Peoples Day)
• Wednesday, October 21 - Sunday, November 1: Everyday, including Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. in conjunction with Early Voting
• Monday, November 2: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 3: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
University of Michigan Duderstadt Center, 2281 Bonisteel, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• Wednesday, October 21 - Sunday, November 1: Everyday, including Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. in conjunction with Early Voting
• Monday, November 2: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 3: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.;
RESOLVED, That Council authorizes the City Clerk to begin Early Voting on the University of Michigan campus at the UMMA and Duderstadt Early Voting locations beginning Wednesday, October, 21 with the same hours as the regularly scheduled nine days of Early Voting from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. daily;
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.
Sponsored by: City Election Commission