City Election Commission approves two days of early voting at City Hall for 2025

The Livonia City Council Study Meeting on May 7, 2025, focused primarily on the city's early voting plan for the upcoming local elections scheduled for February 2025. The proposal, presented by the city clerk, aims to enhance voter access while balancing operational efficiency.

The early voting initiative, which began during the last presidential election, has seen a significant increase in participation, with over 9,000 voters utilizing early voting options in the most recent election. Although early voting is not mandated for local elections under current law, the Livonia Election Commission unanimously decided to implement a two-day early voting period. This will take place on the Saturday and Sunday before each election, from 9 AM to 4 PM, at City Hall. This location was chosen to streamline operations, as the city hall staff will already be present during those hours, avoiding the logistical challenges of moving equipment off-site.

Council members discussed the implications of reducing the early voting days from a longer period to just two days. Concerns were raised about whether this would adequately serve the community's needs, especially given the city's high number of registered voters. However, the clerk noted that typical voter turnout for local elections is between 19% and 21%, suggesting that extending early voting beyond two days may not yield significant benefits.

Additionally, the council addressed absentee voting options, confirming that residents can request absentee ballots at City Hall and have the option to submit them there or at the early voting site, where ballots will be tabulated.

The meeting concluded with a call for the council to adopt a resolution approving the early voting plan, which is seen as a compromise to provide additional voting opportunities without overextending city resources. The council's decision will be crucial in shaping the voting experience for Livonia residents in the upcoming elections.