Time to Vote: Be Prepared for Presidential Primary Election Day today (March 10)
The Presidential Primary Election is Tuesday, March 10, and city polling places will be open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. on Election Day. Registered voters in line by 8 p.m. will be eligible to vote. To locate your ward and/or polling place, go online to the Michigan Voter Information web page at www.michigan.gov/vote.
More information can be found on the elections website, www.a2gov.org/elections, and questions about elections in Ann Arbor may be directed to the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s office at 734.794.6140, cityclerk@a2gov.org or in person on the second floor of Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. On-street or lot parking is located on Ann Street, east of Fifth Avenue.
The city clerk’s office is asking for the public’s patience as in-person Election Day voter registration and no-reason absentee voting are being implemented. As a result, over-the-counter services, such as licensing and permits, will not take place on Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10, due to the anticipated high volume of voter registration and absentee ballot requests. The city clerk’s office instead instructs the public to use the drop box at the front counter and adds that any paperwork dropped off during these two days will be processed beginning again on Wednesday, March 11.
A special note for voters who have already cast their absentee ballots: Voters have the right to “spoil” their absentee ballot for any reason and request a new one until 4 p.m. on Monday, March 9. In order to receive a new ballot, voters must sign a written request.
Voter registration
- Check your voter registration status, absentee ballot status and view sample ballots at the online Michigan voter information center: www.michigan.gov/vote.
- Those who wish register to vote in the Presidential Primary can still do so in person at the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s office with proof of residency.
- Voter registration may occur up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, March 10.
Presidential primary ballot types
Any Michigan registered voter can participate in the primary. However, by law, voters must make their Presidential Primary ballot selection in writing by completing the application to vote on Election Day, or on the absent voter ballot application if voting absentee. There are three ballot options available:
- A Democratic Presidential Primary ballot.
- A Republican Presidential Primary ballot.
- A ballot without Presidential Primary.
Absentee voting
Why wait until Election Day to vote? And why wait in line at your polling place to vote on Election Day? Absentee ballots are now available to all voters, with no reason required! Here’s how to vote absentee:
- Voters must first turn in an application for an absentee ballot; applications are still being accepted in person at the city clerk’s office until 4 p.m. Monday, March 9.
- You can visit the city clerk’s office to fill out an application, or you can go to the application online (www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/AVApp_535884_7.pdf) to print and fill it out and bring it to the city clerk’s office.
- Once completed, all absentee ballots must be returned to the city clerk’s office or the locked ballot boxes in the Larcom City Hall lobby by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- More information can be found on the city’s “voting” web page at www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Voting.aspx.
Election Day line tracker
Voters who choose not to vote absentee can check the number of people waiting in line at their city polling places and view estimated wait times before they head to the polls. Line counts and projected wait times will be reported in real time by the election inspectors at each polling place. Find the Election Day line tracker at www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Line-Tracker.aspx. The line tracker also includes images of each polling place as well as links to maps and directions.
I voted!
Just like voters at polling places can show their participation with an “I voted” sticker, absentee voters will also have a way to proudly display their civic pride. “I voted, #A2Votes” digital badges can be found on the city website on Election Day to upload to their social media account(s). Digital badges are available not only in English, but also several of the other languages spoken in the Ann Arbor community. Go to www.a2gov.org/elections and select on the “A2 votes” tab. Be sure to use #A2Votes when posting!
Voters looking for the perfect backdrop to help showcase their participation need look no further than their polling place. Whether returning an absentee ballot at Larcom City Hall on Election Day, or voting at a precinct, voters can pause for an “I voted” selfie. Special “I voted, #A2Votes” posters will be featured at polling places; and there will even be an “I voted, #A2Votes” banner in the first floor lobby of Larcom City Hall.
Voter tips and ward and precinct polling-location information:
- Don’t forget to bring your photo ID to vote. Voters who do not have acceptable photo ID will be required to sign an affidavit in order to vote.
- All Ann Arbor polling places are accessible to persons with disabilities.
- New permanent polling place locations:
- Ward 1, Precincts 1 and 12 (1-1 and 1-12) — Relocated back to Michigan Union.
- Ward 1, Precinct 4 (1-4) — Relocated to Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. This is the new permanent location for voters previously assigned to vote at Precinct 1-4 at Second Baptist Church.
- Ward 5, Precinct 3 (5-3) — Relocated to Ann Arbor Open at Mack, 920 Miller Ave. This is the new permanent location for voters previously assigned to vote at Precinct 5-3 at Second Baptist Church. Voters should access the school using the Brooks Street entrance.
- A comprehensive list of polling places can be found at www.a2gov.org/elections.
