Title
Resolution to Temporarily Relocate Precincts 3-4 and 3-7 from Allen Elementary School, 2560 Towner Boulevard, to Pattengill Elementary School, 2100 Crestland Drive, for the Statewide General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Memorandum
The City Clerk’s Office has been notified by the Ann Arbor Public Schools staff that Allen Elementary School, the permanent polling location of Precincts 3-4 and 3-7, has recently suffered extensive water damage and will be closed for several months for repair and renovation. Due to the closure, the school will not be usable as a polling place for the November 8 Presidential Election and a temporary relocation will be necessary. AAPS has offered nearby Pattengill Elementary, 2100 Crestland Drive, which is located within the boundary of Precinct 3-4, as a temporary polling location for both 3-4 and 3-7 voters. Due to its close proximity to the existing polling location, Pattengill Elementary will offer minimal disruption to voters for the November election. Affected voters will return to their usual polling place at Allen Elementary for the 2017 city elections.
Pursuant to Michigan Election Law, City Council approval is required for a polling place location change, which occurs less than 60 days prior to an election due to unforeseen circumstances, such as “….because a polling place has been damaged, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible or otherwise unusable as a polling place.”
Upon approval by City Council, the City Clerk’s Office will mail postcard notices of the temporary change to each affected voter in Precincts 3-4 and 3-7, in addition to other City Communication methods, such as press releases, website posting, etc. Signage will also be posted at Allen Elementary School alerting voters of the change.
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 by: Howard 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, Michigan Election Law, 168.662 (4), requires that a determination of a polling place change less than 60 days prior to an Election requires City Council approval and the change must be necessary because the current polling place has been damaged, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible or unusable;
Whereas, The City Clerk’s Office has been notified by the Ann Arbor Public Schools staff that Allen Elementary School, the permanent polling location of Precincts 3-4 and 3-7, has recently suffered extensive water damage and will be closed for several months for repair and renovation; and
Whereas, The City Clerk has located a suitable temporary polling place location for Precincts 3-4 and 3-7, which due to its accessible facilities and close proximity to the permanent site minimizes any adverse impacts to voters;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the temporary relocation of Precincts 3-4 and 3-7 to Pattengill Elementary School, located at 2100 Crestland Drive, for the General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator and the City Clerk be authorized to take all action necessary to implement this resolution.