Title
Resolution to Temporarily Relocate Precinct 1-7 from Pierpont Commons, 2101 Bonisteel, to Northwood Community Center (Family Housing), for the City Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 due to Construction at Pierpont Commons
Memorandum
The City Clerk's Office has been notified by the University of Michigan staff that Pierpont Commons, the permanent polling location of Precinct 1-7, will be undergoing renovations and temporarily unusable as a polling place for both the May 6 and August 5, 2014 elections. The City Election Commission has already authorized the consolidation of Precinct 1-7 for the May 6, 2014 AAATA Special Election with Precinct 2-1, Northwood Community Center, at 1000 McIntyre Drive. The consolidation of precincts is allowable under Michigan Election Law for the small local election. In August, the precincts would operate separately, but in the same building. Staff feels that this change would have the least impact on affected voters, allowing for precinct consolidation of an anticipated low turnout of mostly student voters in May and consistency in August with the same temporary location. Affected voters will return to their usual polling place at Pierpont Commons (1-7) for the November 4, 2014 City General Election and the Northwood Community Center location will continue to house 2-1 voters. Pursuant to Michigan Election Law, City Council approval is required for the temporary polling place change for the August election.
The City Clerk's Office anticipates this temporary change will present minimal inconvenience for voters during the August Primary election with an expected low voter turnout on campus during the summer. In addition, the City Clerk's Office will mail postcard notices of the change to each affected voter in the precinct. Signage will also be posted at Pierpont Commons in May and August 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: Steve Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City Clerk's Office has been notified by the University of Michigan staff that Pierpont Commons, the permanent polling location of Precinct 1-7, will be undergoing renovations and temporarily unusable as a polling place for both the May 6 and August 5, 2014 elections;
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, The City Clerk has located a suitable temporary polling place location for Precinct 1-7,which due to its accessible facilities and close proximity to the permanent site minimizes any adverse impacts to voters;
Whereas, Precincts 1-7 and 2-1 have been approved by the City Election Commission for precinct consolidation at Northwood Community Center, 1000 McIntyre Drive, for the May 6, 2014 Election; and
Whereas, Use of Northwood Community Center, 1000 McIntyre Drive, creates efficiencies through dual location of precincts and precinct consolidation with anticipated low turnout;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the temporary relocation of Precinct 1-7 to Northwood Community Center, located at 1000 McIntyre Drive, for the election to be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2014; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator and the City Clerk be authorized to take all action necessary to implement this resolution.