Detroit elections office requests laptop upgrades and funding for voter education; council approves supplemental appropriations by consent

Detroit’s Department of Elections presented its fiscal-year request and several supplemental needs to the Internal Operations Committee, describing the continued cost of administering elections under recent state law changes and requests for new equipment and outreach funding.

Director Gina Walker and Chief Operating Officer Daniel Baxter told council members the department’s operating request was slightly smaller than the prior year'about $19.2 million compared with $20.1 million—reflecting some capital purchases and the reduction in precincts from 450 to 400 after redistricting. Baxter said some administrative costs remain fixed regardless of turnout: hiring poll workers, moving equipment, mailing ballots and warranties. He also flagged additional costs tied to Proposal 22-2 (which established early voting and other changes), including more early-vote staffing, enhanced security and additional drop boxes.

Staff described a supplemental request to replace up to 785 laptops before Microsoft 10 reaches end of support on Oct. 14; DUIT advised the upgrade to Windows 11 to avoid security and reliability risks. Walker and Baxter also reviewed revenue differences tied to reimbursements: the 2024 presidential primary reimbursed roughly $3.2 million; municipal elections will not receive the same level of state reimbursements.

Council members raised voter access issues including language access, recruitment and retention of poll workers and voter education to reduce spoiled ballots. Member Waters moved, and the committee approved by unanimous consent, a motion to appropriate $500,000 in executive session for voter education and related outreach (staff to propose hiring or contracting options). Member Johnson moved, and the committee approved, a motion to add $600,000 in executive session for technology upgrades for the elections department. Both motions were approved with no roll-call shown in the transcript.

Staff said the department is working to recruit younger poll workers and has training programs (about 15 hours for poll workers) and dedicated roles such as Polling Site Assessors and troubleshooters. Staff described accessibility measures including VOTER ASSIST terminals (VAT/Voter Assisted Terminals) at every precinct for voters with disabilities, curbside voting, sample ballots mailed before Election Day, and a QR-code help desk system for precinct staff.

Baxter and Walker said they will return with formal cost estimates and procurement details for laptops and that tariffs and trade policy concerns have led vendors to warn of price increases. The committee closed the Elections budget hearing after approving the supplemental appropriations by unanimous consent; staff will report back with detailed budgets and implementation plans.

The transcript recorded no formal roll-call votes; approvals were taken by unanimous consent with no objections recorded.