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Highland Park council approves 2026 polling locations after dispute over early-voting language
Summary
After a heated exchange over whether the council could remove references to early voting and an absentee vote-counting board, the Highland Park City Council voted to adopt a clerk-drafted resolution establishing polling locations for the 2026 election cycle. The meeting also tabled an audit contract and approved a county grant extension for Midland Field.
The Highland Park City Council voted May 18 to adopt a clerk-drafted resolution to "approve and establish polling locations, early voting sites, and absentee voter counting board" for the 2026 election cycle after a contentious discussion about whether council members could remove language related to early voting.
The dispute began when the Pro Tem sought to strike wording referring to an "early voting site" and an "absent voter counting board" from the clerk’s resolution and proposed breaking the clerk's single resolution into separate measures. "I would like to strike early voting site and absent voter counting board," the Pro Tem said during the meeting. Council members and staff sparred over whether the council had authority to change items prepared by the clerk.
The City Clerk urged caution and repeatedly cited state rules, saying the council lacked authority to alter provisions governing polling locations. In the meeting, the clerk referred to Michigan constitutional provisions governing polling locations and early voting, noting requirements for early voting periods and site hours.
A roll call on item 6 recorded votes of Yes from Councilwoman Manica, Yes from Councilwoman Martin, No from Councilwoman Robinson, and Yes from Council President Thomas; the motion carried and the resolution was adopted.
Why it matters: Polling locations and early-voting arrangements determine where and when residents can cast ballots in statewide and federal elections. Council discussion focused on whether local action was legally permissible or whether the clerk and state law set the terms.
Votes at a glance
- Item 6 — Resolution to approve and establish polling locations, early-voting sites, and absentee voter counting board: Approved (Councilwoman Manica Yes, Councilwoman Martin Yes, Councilwoman Robinson No, Council President Thomas Yes).
- Item 7 — Resolution to issue a contract for audit services: Tabled after members requested to see the contract text and costs; motion to table carried; council asked for the contract to be provided at the next meeting.
- Item 8 — Amendment No. 1 to the intergovernmental agreement with Wayne County for Midland Field improvements (extension of county grant deadline and addition of Ives): Approved; staff said the project is in final stages and the county requested an extension to Oct. 1.
- Item 9 — Receive and file outside communication: Approved.
What council members said
The debate featured sharp back-and-forth about procedure and legal authority. One member said, "Show me that in writing," asking for the statutory basis for altering election-site language. Another cautioned that election-related site authority is governed by state provisions on early voting and polling locations.
The council president and other members emphasized the clerk’s role in preparing election resolutions and urged clarity from the city legal department if council members wished to change clerk-drafted language going forward.
What’s next
Council carried the resolution and will proceed with establishing polling locations for the 2026 cycle as adopted. Members asked staff and legal to provide clearer documentation about where authority lies before future changes are attempted.
