Title
Resolution to Approve the Locations for Early Voting Centers for the 2024 Election Cycle
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. All voters must have an opportunity to vote early for at least eight hours per day during the early voting period, which begins two Saturdays ahead of Election Day and ends on the Sunday just prior to Election Day.
The City Clerk’s Office plans to continue the satellite voting offices established on the campus of the University of Michigan at UMMA and the Duderstadt Center for the November General Election. A smaller scale presence will also be available to students and the campus community for the Presidential Primary at UMMA and at Pierpont Commons (attached to the Duderstadt Center). These locations, in addition to City Hall, will serve as full service voter registration and early voting locations for all Ann Arbor voters. UMMA and Duderstadt Center will not be open for early voting or voter registration during the August Primary due to anticipated low voter demand at that time.
In addition, the City’s early vote plan includes the addition of three regional locations for voters based on geography and voting wards. These three locations will be at the Ann Arbor District Library’s branch locations: Traverwood (Wards 1 and 2), Mallett’s Creek (Wards 3 and 4) and Westgate (Ward 5). The Ann Arbor District Library is in full support of the plan and this new partnership with the City Clerk’s Office for expanded voting opportunities in the City.
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 to voters will be determined closer to each Election. Currently, the exact date of the Presidential Primary is not yet confirmed, which will impact the start and end dates of early voting this coming winter.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The City Clerk’s Office has an approved budget for early voting. The University of Michigan and the District Library do not charge for the use of their spaces.
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Matt Thomas, Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed and Approved by: City Election Commission
Body
Whereas, Article IV, Section 4 (m) of the Michigan Constitution establishes the right for all Michigan voters to vote early at an early voting site for nine days beginning the second Saturday before each federal election and ending on the Sunday prior to Election Day;
Whereas, Early voting must be available to every voter for at least eight hours per day during the mandatory nine-day period;
Whereas, 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;
Whereas, The University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor District Library have agreed to host early voting locations for Ann Arbor City voters;
Whereas, The City Clerk already provides full-service voter registration and absentee ballot services at City Hall and two satellite offices on the campus of the University of Michigan; and
Whereas, The City Clerk, in consultation with the City Election Commission, will establish the exact dates and times that each site is available to voters;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council approves the following locations for early voting for national elections in 2024 as recommended by the Ann Arbor City Clerk:
Presidential Primary Election - exact dates to be determined
• U-M Museum of Art - 525 S. State Street
• Pierpont Commons - 2101 Bonisteel Blvd.
• City Hall - 301 E. Huron Street
• Traverwood Branch Library - 3333 Traverwood Drive (Wards 1 and 2 only)
• Mallets Creek Branch Library - 3090 E. Eisenhower (Wards 3 and 4 only)
• Westgate Branch Library - 2503 Jackson Avenue (Ward 5 only)
August 6, 2024 Primary Election
• City Hall - 301 E. Huron Street
• Traverwood Branch Library - 3333 Traverwood Drive (Wards 1 and 2 only)
• Mallets Creek Branch Library - 3090 E. Eisenhower (Wards 3 and 4 only)
• Westgate Branch Library - 2503 Jackson Avenue (Ward 5 only)
November 5, 2024 General Election
• U-M Museum of Art - 525 S. State Street
• The Duderstadt Center - 2281 Bonisteel Blvd.
• City Hall - 301 E. Huron Street
• Traverwood Branch Library - 3333 Traverwood Drive (Wards 1 and 2 only)
• Mallets Creek Branch Library - 3090 E. Eisenhower (Wards 3 and 4 only)
• Westgate Branch Library - 2503 Jackson Avenue (Ward 5 only)
RESOLVED, That pursuant to Statute, the City Clerk will notify all voters of their right to vote early including the exact locations available to each voter; 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 and the Ann Arbor District Library for use of the spaces.
Sponsored by: City Election Commission