Tuesday, Nov. 8 is the City General Election and the ballot this year includes:
- City Council candidates in all five wards
- Renewal of the Streets Repair and Resurfacing Millage proposal
- Sidewalk Repair Millage proposal
- Amendment to restructure the Ann Arbor City Employees Retirement Board of Trustees.

Polling place locations, candidates and millage information is available on the city’s Election website.To find out your exact polling location, visit the Michigan Votes online voter information center.

Voter Tips
• 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.
• Polling place hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
• The City Clerk’s Office is still accepting applications for absentee ballots. The office is open to the public for absentee ballot requests on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. In-person requests for absentee ballots will be accepted at the City Clerk’s Office, 2nd floor of City Hall, until Monday, November 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed on Election Day. Polling places located within schools are open . Signs will be posted at all polling locations to assist voters.
• Washtenaw County election results are televised on Community Television Network’s CitiTV Channel 19 beginning at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011—after the polls close—and will continue throughout the night.

Notable Dates for the Week of November 8 to November 14

November 8 Remember to Vote on Election Day.

November 9 Dia de los Natitas (Day of the Skulls) is celebrated in Bolivia.

November 10 Neil Gaiman’s 51st Birthday

November 11 Singles Day is celebrated in China.

November 12 Celebrate National Gaming Day @ Your Library.

November 13 International Tongue Twister Day.

November 14 World Diabetes Day

Tom Jensen, Ann Arbor native and the Director of Public Policy Polling, one of the most accurate polling sources on key political races across the country, talked with AADL about the 2012 elections, voter sentiment, political trends and the art and science of polling.

As Director, Tom Jensen oversees Public Policy Polling's day to day operations. During his time at PPP he has been a frequent guest for television and radio stations across the region, and has been called on for expert analysis by publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and US News and World Report.

On Tuesday, August 2, 2011 Primary Elections will be held in the City of Ann Arbor to determine the Democratic candidate nominations for City Council in Wards two, three and five only. Primary elections are not necessary in the first or fourth Wards so those polling locations will not be open. Remember to bring along your photo identification to receive a ballot. Need more info? Call the City Clerk’s Office at 734.794.6140.

Lawrence Kestenbaum

Following the US Census every ten years, new lines are drawn for congressional and legislative districts, county commission districts, and city council wards. We recently sat down with Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum, one of five members of the County Apportionment Commission to discuss the process of re-drawing the lines and the final plan that reduces the number of County Commission seats from 11 to 9. In this wide-ranging discussion Mr. Kestenbaum discusses the history of redistricting and politics in the county and the state as well as the likely scenarios for candidates in the newly combined commissioner districts. As many of you know, Mr. Kestenbaum also hosts one of the best (and funniest) political junkie websites out there, The Political Graveyard.

On Thursday, June 16th, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room, the AADL will host a panel discussion, Redistricting: It Matters to All of Us that will include include Mr. Kestenbaum, Jacqueline Beaudry, Ann Arbor City Clerk; Rep. Jeff Irwin, State Representative, 53rd District and Rep. Mark Ouimet, State Representative, 52nd District.

map

Following the US Census every ten years, new lines are drawn for congressional and legislative districts, county commission districts, and city council wards. Although the population numbers changed little in Washtenaw County, there were shifts in where we live in the county.

Join us for a panel discussion on Thursday June 16, 2011: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room , co-sponsored by The League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area and The Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, and find out how your city, county and state are making these decisions and how it might affect you. Panelists include Jacqueline Beaudry, Ann Arbor City Clerk; Lawrence Kestenbaum, Washtenaw County Clerk; Rep. Jeff Irwin, State Representative, 53rd District and Rep. Mark Ouimet, State Representative, 52nd District.

Get a sneak preview into the discussion with our latest podcast episode, AADL Talks To: Lawrence Kestenbaum.

ballot

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District Special Election to renew the Special Education Millage is coming up and all City Polling Places will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on May 3, 2011 for this citywide election. There are a couple of polling locations construction issues to be aware of:

Voters at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch (Precinct 5-1) should be aware of construction activities currently restricting traffic on Fifth Avenue. The library/polling place remains open however, so please plan your route accordingly.

In addition, the Second Baptist Church (Precinct 5-3) is under construction. The parking lot at the main entrance of the Church located at 850 Red Oak Road and Wendy is not accessible. Voters need to enter the site using the rear driveway near Red Oak and Hermania.

Not sure if you're registered to vote and your exact polling location? Visit the Michigan Votes website. Don't forget to bring your voter ID to the polls.

AccuVote

The Washtenaw County Clerk's Office and CTN Channel 19 will have official results for the Tuesday, Nov. 2 elections starting at 10 p.m. You can find further coverage of state and local results at Michigan Radio once the polls close at 8 p.m. NPR and CNN will have live online coverage throughout the night.

ballot

Getting a sample ballot for your specific voting precinct couldn't be easier. Just go to the Michigan Voter Information Center, the official website of the Michigan Board of Elections, enter your voter info, then click on "View My Sample Ballot" on the next page and Shazam! You'll have a sample ballot to view online or print. Remember to enter your name exactly as it appears on your voter registration card. Need more assistance? The Ann Arbor City Clerk has a great web page with plenty of contact information for voters. The Library has League of Women Voters of Michigan Voter Guides available at all branches.

survey

Public Policy Polling will release new Michigan election polls at this Thursday's, Sept. 23, appearance at the Pittsfield Branch by nationally-acclaimed pollster Tom Jensen. PPP conducted polls on the race for Governor, SOS, AG, State Legislature, U.S. House and favorability ratings for federal and state elected officials. Jensen got his start right here in Ann Arbor and brings a wealth of knowledge of local and state-level politics that political junkies will appreciate as much as Daily Kos.