Title
Resolution to Approve the Location and Hours of City Clerk Satellite Offices on the University of Michigan Campus for the February 27, 2024 Presidential Primary Election at the Museum of Art (UMMA) and Pierpont Commons
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.
Since that first satellite project, the City Clerk’s Office in partnership with the UMich Votes coalition, has expanded to a presence in major elections at both UMMA and the Duderstadt Center on North Campus. Plans have been ongoing to improve the voting experience at both locations in 2024 since the midterms concluded. 2024 plans include the expansion of both sites to include early vote centers in addition to the full service satellite office functions. Voters will have the opportunity to register to vote, request absentee ballots to take home or choose to vote early on site.
For the February 27 Presidential Primary, the satellite office on north campus will be at the adjoining Pierpont Commons building, with plans to return to Duderstadt Center in November. Both locations will be open to voters for the nine-day early voting period in February beginning Saturday, February 17. The office will be open for registration following the conclusion of early voting and will continue to issue ballots on Monday and Tuesday to anyone registering to vote up to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
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: Matt Thomas, Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Article II, Section 4 of the Michigan Constitution established 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 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;
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, It is expected that the Presidential Primary Election on February 27, 2024 will generate interest in voter registration and absentee ballots by the campus community;
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; and
Whereas, Pierpont Commons 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 Presidential Primary Election on February 27, 2024, as recommended by the Ann Arbor City Clerk:
University of Michigan Art Museum, 525 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• Saturday, February 17 - Sunday, February 25: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, February 26: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 27: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
University of Michigan Pierpont Commons, 2101 Bonisteel Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• Saturday, February 17 - Sunday, February 25: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, February 26: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 27: 7:00 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.