Ann Arbor 2026 Ballot Proposals C and D intended to align City Charter with state law and election guidance
Two proposed amendments to the Ann Arbor City Charter on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot are intended to align the charter with Michigan election law and guidance from the Michigan Bureau of Elections.
Proposals C and D were recommended by the Ann Arbor City Council’s Administration Committee. Proposal C would change how signatures on candidate nominating petitions are counted, while Proposal D would change when newly elected city officials begin their terms.
Proposal C: Nominating petition signatures
Proposal C would amend Section 13.9 of the City Charter to align with Michigan election law (MCL 168.547a) and Michigan Bureau of Elections guidance (pages 29 and 37) for verifying signatures on candidate nominating petitions.
Currently, if a voter signs petitions for more candidates for an office than the number of people to be elected, all of that voter's signatures for that office are disqualified. Under the proposed change, the earliest-dated signature would count, while later signatures would be disregarded. If multiple signatures bear the same date, none of those signatures would count.
The change is intended to prevent previously accepted petitions from being disqualified because a voter subsequently signed another candidate's petition. It would also help protect candidates from efforts to invalidate their petitions through the intentional collection of duplicate signatures.
Proposal D: Start of terms for elected officials
Proposal D would amend Section 12.4 of the City Charter to change the start date for newly elected city officials from the first Monday following the November election to noon on the first Monday in December.
Michigan Public Act 17 of 2026 established noon of Dec. 1 as the earliest possible term start date for city officials elected in November, while allowing cities to establish a later start date through their charters. Proposal D would establish noon on the first Monday in December as Ann Arbor's start date, consistent with the requirements of the new state law.
Moving the start date would provide additional time to canvass and certify election results and conduct any necessary recounts or audits before newly elected officials take office. Establishing the start date as the first Monday in December would maintain a consistent day of the week for transitions between elected officials.
Under the proposed amendment, the new term-start provision would apply to officials elected after Dec. 31, 2026.
Voting on Proposals C and D
Both proposals will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot for Ann Arbor voters. A "yes" vote would approve the proposed City Charter amendment, while a "no" vote would reject it.
Additional election information, including ballot proposal language and voting options, is available on the City of Ann Arbor elections webpage.