General Election Day is Nov. 3
The Statewide General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. For residents who choose to vote in person, polling places will be open throughout the city 7 a.m.?8 p.m. To locate your ward and/or polling place, and to view your ballot, go online to the Michigan Voter Information web page at www.michigan.gov/vote (https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/).?
Before heading to the polls, Ann Arbor voters can go online to check the number of people waiting in line at their polling places and view estimated wait times. 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 https://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.
New this election, voters can also check wait times on Monday, Nov. 2, and Tuesday, Nov. 3, for voter registration at the city clerk?s office and satellite office using the line tracker, www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Line-Tracker.aspx.
Voters are finding many more new conveniences this election as well.
- The Ann Arbor City Clerk?s Office opened a satellite office at the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and both offices are open extended hours until Election Day for voter registration, absentee ballot pickup and drop off.
- Secure ballot drop boxes have also been installed throughout the city (view the map here: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Documents/offical_ballot_drop_box_map%202020.pdf (PDF)).
- The green return envelope was postage paid requiring no stamps. Please note, however, if you haven?t returned your absentee ballot yet, it is now beyond the timeframe recommended for mailing, per the United States Postal Service. To ensure your ballot is received in time for your vote to count, please drop it off in a City of Ann Arbor ballot drop box. Remember to sign the green return envelope before turning it in.
In addition to the election of the president of the United States, Ann Arbor voters will also find local races on their ballot, including:
- City Council members.
- Street, bridge and sidewalk repair millage renewal.
- Construction of new sidewalks millage.
- Affordable housing millage.
- And other state and county offices.
More information on all ballot proposals is featured on the Washtenaw County Clerk's web page:?https://www.washtenaw.org/304/Elections. For more information on voting and Election Day, visit the city clerk online at www.a2gov.org/elections | call 734.794.6140 | email [email protected].
- Ready for November Video Interview Series with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson: Safe Voting on Election Day, with guests Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope and Ann Arbor City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry ? https://youtu.be/DPVc2F54FIE.
- Be Prepared for General Election Day Nov. 3 city news release ? https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=743.
- Election Programming Marathons on CTN Channel 16 ? Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.?4 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 2, 2 p.m.?4 p.m. & 7?11:30 p.m. Watch online Sunday and Monday at https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/watch/3... .
- Ann Arbor Elections Website ? www.a2gov.org/elections.
- Secure Ballot Drop Box Locations Map ? https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Documents/offical_ballot_drop_box_map%202020.pdf (PDF).
- Michigan Voter Information Website ? www.michigan.gov/vote.
- Washtenaw County Community Leaders Joint Statement on Election Integrity, Polling Location Safety and Community Safety Post Election -?https://www.a2gov.org/departments/communications/Documents/Joint_Election_Press_Release_General_Election_2020-11-03.pdf (PDF).
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City welcomes new administrator
Ann Arbor?s new city administrator brings a wealth of experience to the role. Already having served several interim terms, Tom Crawford has been selected by City Council as Ann Arbor?s city administrator on a full-time basis, effective immediately. Crawford was previously the city?s chief financial officer, since 2004.
Ann Arbor City Council narrowed the field to four candidates in August before making their final selection. Interviews with all candidates were streamed live; and the community was able to watch and share their input on the candidates via an online survey.
The city congratulates Crawford and welcomes him into this role. Learn more about the city administrators office at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-administrator/Pages/CityAdministratorsOffice.aspx.
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Fall foliage disposal
Curbside composting collection season will come to an end Friday, Dec. 11, leaving plenty of time to dispose of leaves and pumpkins. Once collections end for 2020, compost material should be stored until compost collection resumes in the spring. For composting at home, check out the tips page for suggestions on how to manage yard materials and ideas for those who want to explore alternatives to disposing of compost material at the curb: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/trash-recycling/Pages/Dealing-with-Leaves-and-Yard-Waste-at-Home.aspx.
In addition, residents and contractors will be able to deliver unlimited amounts of leaves from city of Ann Arbor residential properties to the city's compost facility, 4170 Platt Road, until Friday, Dec. 11. Residents and contractors are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce the volumes of bags at the curb, which present a safety risk to staff and hinders the city's ability to service all properties.
And remember, do not put leaves in the street and do not burn the leaves ? both of these actions are against the law (http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-324-11522)!
Visit the city website to learn more about proper leaf disposal and compost collection: www.a2gov.org/compost?(https://www.a2gov.org/departments/trash-recycling/Pages/Compost.aspx).
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 Veterans Day 2020 - Honoring all who served -- Free golf Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Huron Hills Golf Course all day! Due to a construction project at HHGC, golfers can only play five, six or 11 holes of golf. Five- and six-hole rounds will also receive a free poser cart rental. If you play more than six holes, the cost is only $5. It's our way of saying thank you!
Housing + Affordability in Ann Arbor
The city is exploring the potential redevelopment of publicly owned parcels in downtown Ann Arbor: 121 E. Catherine, 353 S. Main, 309 S. Ashley and 721 N. Main. These city-owned sites in and around downtown are being considered for the development of additional affordable housing.
The community is invited to join one of two live online sessions to learn more.
- Monday, Nov. 9, 6?8 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 10, 6?8 p.m.
Please RSVP for either meeting at https://www.community-engagement-annarbor.com/.
The city is also providing an opportunity to share feedback via an online survey, open through Dec. 14: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5805923/Housing-Affordability-Community-Survey-Fall-2020.
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City seeks climate ambassadors
The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations is launching the A2ZERO Ambassador Program, inviting the public to actively engage in reducing our collective environmental footprint and enhancing our community?s overall resilience. Ambassador training will take place Wednesday evenings Nov. 18, 2020?Feb. 3, 2021.
Each week, A2ZERO ambassadors will gain insights in developing and implementing solutions to enhance personal and local sustainability. Material covered will include equity and environmental justice, energy efficiency and electrification, emergency preparedness and strategies to achieve zero waste, among other relevant topics.
Residents interested in sustainability and climate action are encouraged to join. To submit your application and become an A2ZERO ambassador, visit http://bit.ly/A2ZEROAmbassador. Learn more about this program at https://www.a2gov.org/news/pages/article.aspx?i=740.
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Recycling reminders
It?s important to remember that, while paper and metals can be recycled, not ALL metal and paper can be set out at the curb for collection. For example, scrap metal is not accepted in curbside recycle carts, nor is shredded paper. Both items are recyclable, but must be taken to a proper facility. For more information on the do?s and don?ts of recycling, visit www.a2gov.org/recycle (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/trash-recycling/Pages/Recycling.aspx).
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Website maintenance
A2gov.org will undergo maintenance Wednesday, Nov. 11, 8 a.m.?2 p.m. Visitors to https://www.a2gov.org/Pages/default.aspx?will be able to view the website but will not be able to submit forms or access other interactive elements on the website during maintenance; a message will be displayed indicating this.
Thank you for your patience.
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City schedule notes
City government offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, to observe Veterans Day. Trash/compost/recycling collection, however, will continue as scheduled, without interruption.
City offices will also be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Trash/compost/recycling collection will be delayed due to the holiday. Pickups regularly scheduled for Thursday will instead take place with a one-day delay, on Friday the 27th; and Friday collections will be delayed to Saturday the 28th.
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CTN highlights
Senior Moments ? Dr. Sherry Day, clinical professor, and Ashley Howson, Low Vision Clinic occupational therapist at University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center discusses low-vision issues, assisting devices for people with low vision, how to prevent accidents caused by low vision and physical therapy for seniors and those who have eyesight problems. Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuGsNX8MsAA.
Adventures in Parenthood ? The Leitz family discusses the ups and downs of parenthood as they tackle the rare genetic disorder, Angelman?s Syndrome. Learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF_cDezUwH4&t=7s.
FYI ? CTN's Dana Denha talks with Assistant Fire Chief Marc Tyler, as he shares how to take part in the Ann Arbor Fire Department?s new recruitment process. Learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AniyT62sC6E.
FYI ? Watch at your own risk as spiritual medium Brian Danhausen creates a one-of-a-kind energy painting and deciphers its otherworldly meanings. Tune in to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xQnMIDZw5Y&t=10s.
Parker Mill County Park Virtual Tour ? Surviving as one of the oldest sites in the county, Parker Mill is the pride of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. Check out the tour at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Plf-9-or4.
Ward Talk, October 2020 ? Hear from Zach Ackerman, Ann Arbor City Councilmember from the Third Ward, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8AAHHyqebA.
Green Room ? Mary Mathias Lappe discusses her work as content liaison for the WEMU News weekly radio program, Issues of the Environment, a collaboration with Washtenaw County. This award-winning program, hosted by David Fair, has been running for over 25 years Tune in to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTBYv-FnvJY&t=167s.
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Sharing thanks
With the holiday season approaching, some residents and vendors like to take this time to show appreciation to the municipal employees who collect the trash, maintain the roadways, keep our community safe and provide other vital city services. While a friendly smile, wave or even a note of thanks are always welcomed and greatly appreciated, anything more is actually prohibited for employees to accept.
According to the City of Ann Arbor?s Conflict of Interest employee policy, city personnel are not permitted to accept gifts, meals and food items, gift baskets, gift cards, etc., of any dollar value. This policy is not intended to diminish the importance of the work city staff does, but instead is in place to protect transparency in city operations and to maintain the public trust.
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