A primary election is taking place Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 in the City of Jackson and all over Michigan. Here is a breakdown of everything voters need to know about this election:
WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT: Voters will decide primaries for U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, State Senate, State House, County Commission and Precinct Delegate. There are no City of Jackson elections on the ballot. Voters will have one ballot proposal to consider for the Jackson Area Transportation Authority (JATA).
JATA is requesting a one mill transit renewal. The renewal is not a new tax. The renewal simply allows JATA to continue to operate at its current level. Without local support, JATA would have to drastically reduce services.
If you'd like to see what's on the ballot in your area before voting, visit the Michigan Secretary of State website.
VOTING INFORMATION: Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2 for the primary election. All absentee ballots must be returned to the City Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted in the election. Completed absentee ballots may be submitted to the City Clerk's office through mail, drop box or hand submission.
More information about polling places and registering to vote is available on the Elections Division page of the City website. Voters wanting to check their voter registration status and where they go to vote in-person may look up their voter information on the Michigan Secretary of State website. The City Clerk's Office will be open on Saturday, July 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pre-election services, such as assisting voters with absentee ballots and registration.
WARD CHANGES: Earlier this year, the City Council finalized a new ward map for the City’s six wards. These borders are redrawn every 10 years to reflect population changes determined by the U.S. Census and to comply with Jackson County Commission district lines. The map selected by the council changes boundaries for every ward but Ward 1.
WHAT THIS MEANS
FOR RESIDENTS: Depending on where you live, this could change who represents you on the City Council, what ward you live in, and where you go to vote in-person. In early July, the City Clerk’s Office is mailed out new Voter Information Cards to all registered voters in the City of Jackson, informing them of their ward, voting location and which districts they reside in.
The map included with this article is the new ward and precinct map. A closer look at this map is available on the City website. There are no changes to polling place locations. The ward alterations do not impact submission of absentee voter ballots, which will continue to submitted to the City Clerk’s Office through mail, drop box or hand submission.
