NOVEMBER 7, 2023 ELECTION EDITION

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VOTE!

Election Day is this Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it's how we collectively determine the path our City will take. It's not just a right; it's a responsibility that empowers individuals to influence policies, representation, and the quality of life in Traverse City!

Proposal 22-2

In 2022, Proposal 22-2 amended the Michigan Constitution to add several provisions regarding elections, including:

• Recognize fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct
•  Require military or overseas ballots be counted if postmarked by election day and received by the local clerk within six days following the election
• Provide voter right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement
• Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections
• Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, and postage for absentee applications and ballots
• Provide that only election officials may conduct post-election audits
• Require a minimum of nine days of early in-person voting for all statewide elections
• Allow donations to fund elections, which must be disclosed
• Require canvass boards certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast.

The State of Michigan has been preparing for changes related to the above provisions.  However, the provision for nine days of early in-person voting will not be put into effect for the November 7, 2023, election, but will be implemented in the City of Traverse City for the 2024 elections.

Early In-Person Voting vs Absentee Voting

What is Early In-Person Voting?

Early in-person voting allows the registered voter to cast their ballot in-person at an early voting site before the scheduled Election Day. Such a ballot that is cast during early in-person voting is inserted into the tabulator by the voter and therefore tabulated that day.



What is Absentee Voting?

Absentee voting, also referred to as mail-in voting, is a method that allows the registered

voter to receive and submit their ballot by mail or in-person at their local Clerk’s Office.

Absentee Ballots are tabulated on election day. As of 2018, all registered voters in Michigan may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.

Does Michigan have Early In-Person Voting?

Proposal 22-2 amended the Michigan Constitution to add several provisions regarding elections, including nine days of early in-person voting at all federal and state elections.

Will there be Early In-Person Voting in Traverse City this November?

No. The State of Michigan has been preparing for changes related to Proposal 22-2. However, the provision for nine days of early in-person voting will not be put into effect for the November 7, 2023, election in Traverse City. Early in-person voting will begin in the City of Traverse City in 2024.

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE SATURDAY HOURS

NOVEMBER 4, 2023

The City Clerk's Office will have office hours this Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 8 am to 4pm, for election purposes. Pop in for an absentee ballot, register to vote, or return your absentee ballot.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATES

VIEW CANDIDATE FORUM RECORDINGS



The League of Women Voters and Traverse Connect each conducted a Mayoral and City Commission candidate forum with both recordings available to view. Watching candidate forum recordings is a valuable way to gain insights into the Mayoral and City Commission candidates. These recordings offer an opportunity to hear candidates' responses to important questions regarding their values and priorities for the City.

BROWN BRIDGE PROPOSAL

In 2023, the City was presented the opportunity to acquire 528 acres of land adjacent to the Brown Bridge Quiet Area for $3,098,445. The City Commission approved a resolution to apply for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Grant in the amount of $2,352,200. If successful, the City Commission is asking City voters to approve using the principal from the Brown Bridge Trust Fund to match the grant in an amount not to exceed $746,245, if it is awarded.

The grant match expenditure would require two proposals on the November 7, 2023 ballot.

Ballot Question One

The 2019 ballot proposal included a provision that funds could not be used in excess of $250,000. Section 129 would need to be amended to delete the provision that no single allocation to a City park capital improvement or City parkland acquisition will be in excess of $250,000.

Ballot Question Two

The second ballot question would ask the public for permission to spend the principal from the Brown Bridge Trust Fund to match the grant in an amount not to exceed $746,245. Both ballot questions would need to pass in order to utilize the Brown Bridge Trust Fund.

If these proposals were to fail on November 7, 2023, the grant application could be withdrawn.

TCFD EMS PROPOSAL

The City engaged the services of TriData to study and prepare a report that would assist the City in determining if it is fiscally and operationally feasible for the City to provide primary first response Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport. In 2023, the City Commission adopted a a resolution to establish a ballot proposal at the November 7, 2023, election to ask the electorate to restore up to 1 mill for the purpose of fire department emergency transportation services and facilities.

The City currently contracts with a third party to provide emergency transportation services. Traverse City Firefighters are EMTs and Paramedics. Both TCFD and the current Contractor currently respond to all emergency medical calls. However, the Contractor provides transport. If approved, the ballot proposal will provide funding to allow TCFD to provide transport services, by restoring up to a 1 mill tax levy. The revenue provided would support the proposed staffing model of nine additional personnel, one captain, the purchase of additional equipment, and two new ambulances. The approval of this ballot proposal will not provide sufficient funding for a new fire station.

The proposal will be on the November 7, 2023 ballot.

Ballot Question

The ballot question will ask the electorate to restore up to 1 mill for the purpose of fire department emergency transportation services and facilities.