Title
Resolution to Approve the Location and Hours of City Clerk Satellite Offices on the University of Michigan Campus for the November 8, 2022 General Election at the Museum of Art (UMMA) and the 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.
In partnership with the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design, the satellite office at the Art Museum included artistic design elements, and promotional and voter education materials, leading up to Election Day on November 3, 2020.
Since 2020, the partners in this project from the City and the University have continued conversations about access to voting and continuing the momentum and success of the UMMA office. The Clerk’s Office is proposing to re-open a similar office in the Stenn Gallery at UMMA for the 40-day period before Election Day that absentee ballots are available to voters. The City Clerk and UM officials have also collaborated on a proposed similar concept at the Duderstadt Center to service north campus. The Duderstadt Center would provide education and information on voting from University officials with a smaller presence by the City on select days for absentee ballots and voter registration opportunities. Dates and times were chosen to maximize visibility for students with Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday schedules and based on high-volume days and times from 2020.
Renderings of the concept and layout for UMMA are attached, including some actual photos from 2020. The Duderstadt Center will match in design and materials.
Michigan Election Law requires the approval of the location and hours by the City Council, similar to the process for establishing a polling place.
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.
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Michelle Landis, Sr. Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Article II, Section 4 (f) and (g) of the Michigan Constitution establish 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 or township 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 or township;
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, 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;
Whereas, UMMA successfully served as a satellite city clerk office in 2020, receiving national attention for its innovative design, artistic elements, and accessibility to first-time student voters; 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 November 8, 2022, as recommended by the Ann Arbor City Clerk:
University of Michigan Art Museum, 525 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• September 27 - November 4: Monday through Thursday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Fridays 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 5: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 7: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 8: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
University of Michigan Duderstadt Center, 2281 Bonisteel, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• October 12 - November 4: Wednesdays and Thursdays 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Fridays 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, October 24: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 8: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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.