Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
City Elections are held in the City of Ann Arbor every year. Elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August (Primary) and November (General). School Board elections and other special elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May. Other special elections may also be scheduled for the fourth Tuesday in February as needed. The City Clerk is the City's chief elections officer and is responsible for the administration of all City Elections.
Voter Registration
City residents can register to vote in person at the City Clerk's Office - 2nd Floor of City Hall or by mail to 100 N. Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor 48104. Voter registration is also accepted at any Secretary of State Branch Office, the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office, designated State agencies such as Family Independence Agencies or military branch offices.
City residents who have moved within the City of Ann Arbor can update their address at any Secretary of State Branch Office or in-person at the City Clerk's Office. Call 734-994-2725 for more information.
Michigan Voter Registration Form
Check to see if you are registered to vote! - Michigan.gov/Vote
Voter Photo ID Required on Election Day
Voters in the State of Michigan are now required to present a valid photo identification at the polls on Election Day in order to vote! This change is due to a recent State of Michigan Supreme Court ruling - In re REQUEST FOR ADVISORY OPINION REGARDING CONSTITUTIONALITY OF 2005 PA 71 (Docket no. 130589).
Effective with the November 6, 2007 City Election and every election thereafter, before being given a ballot, each registered voter will be required to present an acceptable form of picture identification. If a voter does not have an acceptable picture identification card OR does not bring identification to the polling place, the voter will be required to sign an affidavit before an election inspector stating so, in order to vote.
Voters may satisfy the picture identification requirement with any of the following documents, as long as they are current:
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Michigan driver's license or personal identification card
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Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
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Federal or state government-issued photo identification
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U.S. passport
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Military identification with photo
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Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education (Attention UM students: Bring your M-Card!!!)
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Tribal identification card with photo
IMPORTANT - Voters without ID will not be turned away on Election Day! Any voter not possessing valid ID on Election Day can sign an affidavit in order to vote.
Absentee Ballots
Applications for absentee ballots are accepted by mail beginning 75 days prior to each election. Registered voters can apply for an absentee ballot by mail until the Saturday just prior to the election. Registered voters can also apply for and vote an absentee ballot in-person at the City Clerk's Office on the day before each election (Monday). A signed application must be received by the City Clerk before an absentee ballot will be issued. To obtain an absentee ballot, call the City Clerk at 734-994-2725 or complete the attached form and mail or hand deliver it to the City Clerk at 100 N. Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
The Michigan voter identification requirement does not apply to voters requesting an absentee ballot.
Absentee Ballot Application Form
Voters with disabilities can now vote privately and independently using the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal. The AutoMARK is a ballot-marking device that voters can use to assist with marking a traditional paper ballot. Voters can use the machine to mark their ballot through the use of large font touch screen, Braille keypad and audio headset, or with the aid of their own personal sip/puff device or foot pedal that can be plugged into a port on the front of the terminal. The AutoMARK touch screen features magnification and contrast features and the audio ballot can be adjusted for speed and volume. The AutoMARK is available for all voters to use in every City polling place.
A sip/puff device with disposable straws and a foot/hand pedal is available for use at City polling places on Election Day for voters in need and/or if a voter's own personal equipment does not work with AutoMARK. The equipment is currently available at the University Townhomes polling place. For arrangements at other polling places, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 734-994-2725 to avoid Election Day delays.
All voters with disabilities are entitled by law to obtain an absentee ballot for any election. (See absentee ballot information above.) To request an application for absentee ballot be mailed to you for all future City elections, please call the City Clerk at 734-994-2725 or send an email to JBeaudry@a2gov.org
City Pollworker featured in New Mobility Magazine!
The photograph above was featured in the October 2007 national publication of New Mobility magazine. The photograph was taken in September 2006 by Ann Arbor District Library staff at a public forum at the Downtown Branch. The forum, organized by City and Library officials, pollworkers and members of the disability community, provided members of the public an opportunity to learn about accessible voting opportunities in Ann Arbor and was a great training experience for City pollworkers!
Running for City Office
Municipal elections in the City of Ann Arbor are open and PARTISAN. Candidates' political party affiliations are listed on the ballot. However, it is not necessary to declare political party preference in order to vote in a primary election in the City of Ann Arbor. To vote in any city election, you must be a qualified voter in the State of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor. For information on becoming a candidate for Mayor or City Council, click on the link below or contact the City Clerk's Office directly.
Filing for City Office - Information and Dates
Polling Place Information
City Residents vote at their assigned polling place for every election unless notified by mail of an alternate location. Residents can check their polling location information on the Ann Arbor Voter Information link below . The Ann Arbor Voter Information also provides information on ward-precinct assignments and City Councilmembers.
Ann Arbor Voter Information
Current City of Ann Arbor Polling Places
Precinct Boundaries Map
Ward Boundaries Map
Individual Voting District Maps
Election Inspectors - Work the Polls!
The City of Ann Arbor is always looking for new election inspectors to work at the polling places on Election Days. Appointments are made each election for election inspectors and chairpersons. Election Inspectors must commit to working on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. until approximately 9:30 p.m. and attend a mandatory certification class. Wages start at $8.00 per hour. For more information, email the City Election Inspector Recruiter at Recruiters@A2gov.org
To apply now, complete the attached form and mail or hand-deliver it to the City Clerk's Office.
Election Inspector Application Form