Title
Resolution to Approve the Locations for Early Voting Centers for Special Elections, including the Upcoming August 5, 2025 Special Election
Memorandum
Michigan voters approved Proposition 2022-2 at the November 8, 2022 General Election. Upon approval, Michigan voters gained new voting rights, including the opportunity to vote early for a minimum of nine days prior to Election Day and to tabulate their own early vote ballot at an Early Voting Center in all federal elections. Michigan election law also allows municipalities to consider offering early voting at municipal and special elections, but it is not required.
Early voting in the City of Ann Arbor during the initial implementation in 2024 was a great success. Ann Arbor was a statewide leader in turnout leading up to an impressive 20,786 early votes during the Presidential 2024 election. Our partnership with the Ann Arbor District Library to offer Early Voting at Malletts Creek, Westgate, and Traverwood Branch Libraries was a contributing factor to the success of our first implementation.
Historically, turnout for special elections is much lower than even-year November. However, much of the turnout has been due to absentee votes. The Clerk's Office expects that a similar interest in early voting would follow - less Election Day votes and more early in person and vote by mail interest. In consultation with the City Election Commission, we are recommending five days of early voting for Special Elections, beginning on the Wednesday prior to the election and ending on the Sunday prior to the election. This allows voters to take advantage of evenings and weekend hours, similar to the offerings in larger elections. Exact times will be determined by the City Clerk's Office.
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 ...
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