[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6063361,"mediaKeyId","3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d","parentId",3269427,"title","Livonia clerk defends decision to keep candidates on ballot after 'scrivener' errors; public urged to file court challenge if desired","audioSeconds",467,"startMs",2534000,"endMs",3001000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d&start=2534&end=3001","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d/thumbnail_2534000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063361/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Livonia-clerk-defends-decision-to-keep-candidates-on-ballot-after-scrivener-errors-public-urged-to-file-court-challenge-if-desired","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063361-5e230fecc543cd2c477da6f16261fbf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159186&Signature=c9-9MYCiCw9Hyv-X4P9uSYEdrq4sUd0rAUd89vQQZ5EneKeBV5Q24S7U5g1~YHa6ILUR1~r7-FpjbWGD~9gWbr6F~Ch5vu36TJ99Yw2N5x5u5fWJQE0zkoFoQPZlI041nSdyV5Iu4wYGSJnXiRi6zqVYy9zz-vFoCWEdWF41lBUtjXA-o2z4EYjoiRRoTGDxcDn7nULvKqaF4okPQqKGCMXurqdBmBZSb1te3UDncTChSpCKlbX-VC9r8E8JUJgk6NlrC0LGmdit5A04uGK8zS7krv43Ko7IVi1JoHJB83HF4b4BaPTDkZ3eY4HSyziKmEI2poWm0xCvK7W5sptDfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LivoniaTV","date","2025-05-08T13:05:02Z","article","Public concern about candidate paperwork prompted an extended response from the Livonia City Clerk, who defended her office’s decision to keep 19 qualified candidates on the municipal ballot despite what she described as clerical, or \"scrivener's,\" errors on some affidavits.

Multiple residents raised questions in audience communication about whether candidates with mistakes on nomination paperwork should be removed from the ballot. The clerk said she had reviewed the last 18 years of local-election files and found many past candidates with incomplete or inaccurate forms who nonetheless appeared on the ballot. She said the law permits the clerk to disqualify a candidate only when the affidavit contains a lie; clerical errors such as transposed numbers do not, by themselves, trigger disqualification.

\"Creating a scrivener's error does not disqualify people,\" the clerk told council and the audience, adding that she had consulted clerks at state and county levels and that none advised automatic disqualification for clerical mistakes. She said that candidates who knowingly lied on their affidavits were disqualified and that anyone wishing to challenge the clerk’s determination may file a complaint with the circuit court.

Residents urged transparency and a public review of the events surrounding the filing process. Several councilmembers said they had received calls and wanted the matter clarified; the council scheduled an upcoming session to investigate process questions and related concerns. The clerk urged residents that if they believe a candidate filed false information, they may pursue judicial review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Livonia City Council Study Meeting - May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During audience comments about candidate paperwork, the city clerk said a clerical (scrivener's) error — such as a transposed number — does not automatically disqualify candidates; she said only false affidavits would disqualify a candidate and that aggrieved parties may seek circuit-court review.","taxTitle","Livonia, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4046,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063365,"Council to amend municipal code to fix split precinct affecting about 548 voters",137,1966000,2103000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d&start=1966&end=2103","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d/thumbnail_1966000.jpg","/articles/6063365/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-to-amend-municipal-code-to-fix-split-precinct-affecting-about-548-voters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063365-6f539051db148df5a6fdfd19333e73c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159186&Signature=d7xnjUiezT85uq6wErvRRILSZjjZElkNbai1c4T9DkRE8A3RLeA3AbTAvZFa0wEeoY27P0Fg2MyvuAuN0KYOizpypJflwpndaqHAQfETGFQz1~~eF6HgVg26fYCJ2neImRxbc2Xi8RPSerwXCf1qRgxciVjw9lByQf~v9JQXz7yLD9IttTVxplY21oipWKRQHcYLJNcxwzOJImjfmkk24AwykHyLeCxna1fd6NA7--3NG3linHy~6uWOlYqmi8JZZoU2FD9zMd3G5LNBckq9yAXuClQuUE04uEvayO~2KtgeihuwxOjton7ugX-b6PxEXND4i05TQMlsVuwgwdJPbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Livonia’s City Clerk told council that a recent precinct consolidation inadvertently created a split precinct and the state Bureau of Elections recommended a targeted fix that affects roughly 548 voters.

Earlier this year the city consolidated precincts from 44 to 26. When the clerk submitted the new precinct map to the state, the Bureau of Elections identified a small group that would have received a different ballot at the polling place — a split precinct. The Bureau advised either keeping the split or moving that small group to a neighboring precinct so all voters at a location receive the same ballot. The clerk said election commissioners unanimously supported moving the group from Precinct 23 to Precinct 24 so there is no split ballot at that location.

The change does not alter where affected voters cast ballots; the clerk said the voters still will vote at the same polling location (Grant). The clerk said the city will mail updated voter information cards to the affected voters to notify them of the change.

Councilmembers asked how many voters were affected and were told about 548 people were placed in the wrong precinct by the consolidation. The council made a motion to place the ordinance amendment on the regular meeting agenda for final action and public explanation.","City clerk told council that a consolidation from 44 to 26 precincts created an unintended split precinct; the Bureau of Elections recommended moving roughly 548 voters from Precinct 23 to 24 so they receive the correct ballot; council placed the ordinance amendment on the regular agenda.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063371,"Livonia election commission proposes two-day early voting at City Hall; council to formalize plan",129,1596000,1725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d&start=1596&end=1725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d/thumbnail_1596000.jpg","/articles/6063371/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Livonia-election-commission-proposes-two-day-early-voting-at-City-Hall-council-to-formalize-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063371-623488518ee683efc4e2fc36b3af40e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159186&Signature=k2Mb9od4RVjZaIbo8ugq4moccbNFuDNFlLC65ASiUA649v-c13de3vIWxN2WeKSjEPO8qF~Mzdx7gPVvH1uTUND7qqqYWFNnjEsBoJIsdaav5U4zut0S~AvVfyzICESuPB7taLIIyj2JmzaMHpbPQyGv2hKjvhG5UNTnisn9SvsbWOm6e13VPzKJ5~f2oRR1dIBw1py19PnQSl~80swld9fJ7~fuoYb4f6G-BeqURjOyRUeRdfd49M9QQmgGnACw1YUy5B6SC0bPmWdNRj6kDDdeT8J3yg9JzMi6fyXqBL70ygZTHAd7IbMbg~m7R4HgkIy-XudsMv8bEfp6Oc3stg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livonia City Clerk told City Council that the election commission unanimously approved a limited early-voting plan for local elections: two days (Saturday and Sunday) immediately before each election, with hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to be held in the City Hall lobby.

The clerk said state law does not require early voting for local elections — it is required only for state and federal contests — but the commission sought a compromise to offer additional local hours without staffing the full nine days used during statewide elections. The commission voted unanimously to present the two-day plan to council and requested a council resolution to adopt it.

Clerk explained the operational reasoning and turnout data: after early-voting rollouts for the presidential cycle last year, the city saw more than 9,000 voters use early voting for that election; Livonia has about 25,548 voters on its permanent ballot list and more than 10,000 on a permanent-application list. Typical turnout for city elections is in the 19–21% range, the clerk told council, and staffing the full nine-day early-voting window for a local election was judged not to be cost-effective.

Under the proposed process, the early-voting site would be staffed by City Hall personnel on the weekend (City Hall is closed on weekends but staff would work), and the city would retain the ability for voters to cast absentee ballots over the counter the week before the election. The clerk described additional options: voters on the permanent ballot list receive a mailed ballot, which they may return by mail, drop at City Hall, or bring to the early-voting site to be run through the tabulator; emergency absentee ballots are issued through 4 p.m. on the Monday before the election.

Councilmembers asked procedural questions and requested the required resolution be placed on the regular meeting agenda so clerks can explain the plan publicly. No final council resolution was adopted at the study session; councilmember motions placed the item on the regular agenda for final action.","City clerk presented a plan for two days of early voting (the weekend before each local election) at City Hall lobby, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; council agreed to put the required resolution on the regular agenda for public explanation and final action.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063375,"Livonia council delays decision on oil-change site after debate over $17,000 in back taxes and utility easement",842,548000,1390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d&start=548&end=1390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3269427-d7ebba9a4563bca890c6eca29d20c65d/thumbnail_548000.jpg","/articles/6063375/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Livonia-council-delays-decision-on-oil-change-site-after-debate-over-17000-in-back-taxes-and-utility-easement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063375-5385b77becad169b17d18b6c78c582e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159186&Signature=Cn5gApxRQT7bKuokiFG2jOLICmU2leHZiEaqF3ms6HnngnqzEL3a8DesG5tqgr0Xv85xzTvkMtU6iQCABgWusLKdvY4LuzxqrKpGtHYYqMfXL~Szq6bbHIYkhQIeizAT84zz1qTUGkPnmQGtFEV1Qd6rRwY6e7XDU4Ue1mHtvRLg3~1JyGxJ3uRDklG~XbOKkeSgmC0VEp1yuTbxdQXft-vTDTSMaD50GIkyTmvjARmSbCAr1twSIbZKYWqyxGTOlELV-IcELPZ40ld4XqtEOcthe6hN4k4lO2jHiC7XJjmQhPqRVREH9nK7UfDujE9IkwhUerlsIrTXF6qB7fClzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council members debated a waiver-use petition to allow a 2,117-square-foot full-service oil-change facility at 27410 Joy Road, but did not vote tonight, instead placing competing approve-and-deny motions on the May 19 regular meeting and asking the applicant for documentation about unpaid taxes and a revised site plan.

The request, submitted by NC Designers and Contracting, would put a three-bay oil-change building on a roughly one-third-acre vacant parcel at the northwest corner of Joy and Inkster Roads. Planning staff said the planning commission recommended approval after the applicant moved a proposed driveway farther north on Inkster and adjusted circulation, lighting and dumpster plans.

The petition matters because the site has not been developed for about 30 years and would convert a vacant lot into a commercial use with a drive-in circulation pattern; council members focused on whether outstanding property taxes should be cleared before approval and on how overhead utility poles affect dumpster placement.

Planning staff described the proposal in detail: a building with a storage room, mechanical space, lobby/cashier area, bathroom and three work bays; counterclockwise vehicle circulation entering from the west and exiting to the east; three parking spaces; a requirement for underground stormwater storage; and compliance with illumination limits in the zoning ordinance. Staff also said new data received that evening showed the Inkster driveway shifted north to address a planning-commission concern.

Rob Bueschel, identified as representing NC Designers and Architects, and Todd Ballow, identified as the purchaser, answered council questions about site layout, hours and taxes. Ballow said the planned hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with Sunday hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and that he intends to close and proceed quickly if approvals are granted.

Council members pressed the applicant on unpaid taxes. Councilmember Donovic said the two parcels carry roughly $15,000 in back taxes (about $5,461 for the subject parcel and $11,319 for the adjacent parcel to the north) and asked for proof those amounts will be paid. Ballow said his purchase agreement requires payoff at closing and that he expects to close within two weeks after council approval; he asked the title company to handle tax payoffs at closing.

Council members proposed conditions and next steps: one councilmember said permits or a certificate of occupancy should not be issued until taxes are paid; another urged the seller be contacted immediately to pay outstanding taxes. The council recorded competing motions for the May 19 regular meeting — an approving motion and a denying motion — to allow time for the taxes and final site revisions to be documented.

City Treasurer Susan Nash confirmed the tax amounts in the meeting: $5,461.02 on the subject parcel and $11,319.25 on the adjacent property, and advised any tax payoff would be made through Wayne County.

Applicants and staff were asked to return with final site plans showing how they will accommodate the overhead utility pole and dumpster location, and with title-company documentation or other proof that the two parcels’ taxes will be paid before permits are issued or before closing. The planning-commission recommendation for approval remains part of the record; the council did not adopt a final determination at the study meeting.

If the council votes on May 19, the outcome will determine whether the petitioner can close and proceed toward permits and construction.","Council heard detailed plans for a 2,117-square-foot oil-change facility at Joy and Inkster, but members split over unpaid property taxes and site constraints; council placed competing approve/deny motions on the May 19 regular meeting and asked for tax-payoff documentation and a revised site plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Livonia clerk defends decision to keep candidates on ballot after 'scrivener' errors; public urged to file court challenge if desired

Council to amend municipal code to fix split precinct affecting about 548 voters

Livonia election commission proposes two-day early voting at City Hall; council to formalize plan

Livonia council delays decision on oil-change site after debate over $17,000 in back taxes and utility easement