Title
Resolution to Temporarily Relocate Precinct 1-4 from the Ann Arbor Community Center, 625 N. Main Street, to Second Baptist Church, 850 Red Oak Drive, for the Statewide Primary Election on Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Memorandum
Precinct 1-4 (Ward 1, Precinct 4), permanently located at the Ann Arbor Community Center, 625 N. Main, has been temporarily housed at Community High School during the 2017 elections for what was understood to be due to a temporary construction project at the Community Center. The additional precinct could be accommodated at Community High in 2017 as the co-located precincts were consolidated during the 2017 local elections and operated as one large precinct.
The City Clerk’s Office was planning to return to the Community Center for the 2018 elections and has now been notified by the Center’s director, Rev. Yolanda Whiten, that the Community Center is terminating its relationship with the City and will no longer be available for use by the City as a polling location. See attached letter. The Center has also denied the City’s request to honor the polling location agreement, requiring 180 days written notice of termination. Due to the extremely short notice, the City Clerk’s Office has not been able to secure a permanent polling location in time for the August Primary on August 7. Second Baptist Church, home to Precinct 5-3, has agreed to house Precinct 1-4, in addition to Precinct 5-3, for the August Primary. The fellowship hall at Second Baptist Church is large enough to accommodate the anticipated Primary Election turnout for both precincts operating separately. The Clerk’s Office will continue to search for a permanent polling location for Precinct 1-4 in advance of the November 6 General Election.
At its meeting on Thursday, May 31, 2018, the City Election Commission recommended approval of the temporary relocation of Precinct 1-4 to Second Baptist Church, 850 Red Oak Drive, recognizing the immediate need of a temporary site for the August 7 Primary, the close proximity of the church to the registered voters, and the large available space and accessible entrance.
Upon approval by City Council, the City Clerk’s Office will mail postcard notices of the temporary change to each affected voter in Precinct 1-4, in addition to other City Communication methods, such as press releases, website posting, and social media. Signage will also be posted at the Ann Arbor Community Center for both the temporary relocation on August 7 and notification of a permanent location when approved.
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 and Sponsored by: City Election Commission
Approved by: Howard S. 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, The City Clerk’s Office has been notified by Ann Arbor Community Center staff that the Community Center at 625 N. Main, the permanent polling location of Precinct 1-4, will no longer be available for use as a City polling location;
Whereas, The City Clerk has located a suitable temporary polling place location for Precinct 1-4, which due to its accessible facilities and close proximity to the original site minimizes any adverse impacts to voters; and
Whereas, The City Clerk’s Office continues to search for a permanent location for Precinct 1-4 for the upcoming November 6 General Election and all future elections;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the temporary relocation of Precinct 1-4 to Second Baptist Church, 850 Red Oak Drive, for the City Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator and the City Clerk be authorized to take all action necessary to implement this resolution.
Sponsored by: City Election Commission