Archived News Release: September 20, 2024 - The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) and the Michigan Department of Attorney General have invited the City of Ann Arbor to host the Defending Democracy Town Hall, taking place Thursday, Sept. 26, 4:30–6 p.m. at the new Ann Arbor Election Headquarters, 3021 Miller Road. With the General Election less than two months away, the community is invited to attend and learn about election protections and the measures in place to ensure safe and secure elections. Doors open at 4 p.m. Free parking is available on site; visit TheRide.org for bus route maps and schedules.
The discussion about voting and safeguarding fair, secure elections across Michigan and here in Ann Arbor will be led by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie, Washtenaw County Clerk Lawrence Kestenbaum and Ann Arbor City Clerk Jacquelyn Beaudry. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor will facilitate the question-and-answer segment with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who will also deliver the closing remarks.
“I am honored to have been invited to host this important conversation here in our community, among Ann Arbor voters who are widely regarded as engaged in the democratic process," said Ann Arbor City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry. “This provides us with another opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to conducting safe, secure and accessible elections with the utmost integrity."
Ann Arbor was asked by the MDOS to host due to the city's exceptional efforts toward transparency and voting accessibility. The town hall recording will be available in the days following on Ann Arbor Community Television Network.
The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, when polling places will be open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Early voting sites will be open throughout the state Saturday, Oct. 26–Sunday, Nov. 3, for voters to avoid Election Day lines and to cast their ballot early in person. Ann Arbor voters can go to any of six sites for early voting, including two locations on the University of Michigan campus — the U of M Museum of Art on central campus and, on north campus, Duderstadt Center. Voters with an absentee ballot can turn it in until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
For complete details on voting in Ann Arbor, visit www.a2gov.org/elections. Residents with questions about voting can contact the Ann Arbor City Clerk's Office at 734.794.6140 or [email protected]. Voting information, including how to register to vote, can also be found on the Michigan Voter Information Center, Michigan.gov/vote.
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View the Defending Democracy Town Hall event flyer (PDF)