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East Express Election Edition | Oct. 28, 2021
With the election coming up next week, we’re providing EGR residents with the information needed to vote on Tuesday, November 2.
WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?EGR residents will see two millage questions on their Nov. 2 ballot — the City’s 2021 Parks Improvement Millage and the EGRPS Recreation Millage. Additionally, each ward will have one City Commissioner up for election: - Ward 1 - Marc Schulz
- Ward 2 - Chris Wessely
- Ward 3 - Laura Schwartz
More information on the election and sample ballots can be found on our Elections webpage.
MAKE A PLAN FOR ELECTION DAY If you're voting at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 2, make sure you're prepared by: - Verifying you are registered to vote as well as your polling location at michigan.gov/vote. There’s still time to register at City Hall. Visit us at 750 Lakeside Dr. SE as soon as possible if you still need to register.
- Bringing a photo ID with you as you will be asked to show identification when you arrive. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license/ID card, federal/state ID, passport, military photo ID, high school/college ID and a Tribal ID. If you don’t have an ID with you when you arrive, you can sign an affidavit and vote as usual.
- Reviewing sample ballots prior to Tuesday at eastgr.org/elections so that you know what’s on your ballot and can limit your time at the polls.
- Avoiding the precincts located at the school buildings between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. or consider walking from home to avoid additional vehicles in the area as morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up are the busiest times at school facilities. As always, please drive carefully.
PRECINCT INFORMATION Important notes about two of our precincts: Breton Downs Voters: The front parking area and driveway at Breton Downs Elementary will be closed from 8 to 8:20 a.m. and 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. on election day for student line up to enter the building. Voters will need to use on-street parking during this time or plan their voting for a different time to avoid the congestion and closed parking area. High School PAC Voters: Park in the Bagley Street parking lot — NOT in the front visitor lot — and enter directly through the Performing Arts Center. You cannot enter the polls through the front door of the High School.
RETURN ABSENTEE BALLOTS IN PERSON ASAP We ask absentee voters to turn in their ballots as soon as possible. With thousands of absentee ballots issued in EGR and a high percentage expected to be returned, getting ballots to Clerk’s Office before election day makes an incredible difference to City staff and volunteer election workers facing a long election day. As Michigan ballots cannot be opened and tabulated until election day — and are kept secure until then — returning your ballot prior to Nov. 2 will provide staff the entire day to complete the time-consuming, five-step verification process required for every ballot. At this time, we highly recommend residents who have not yet turned in their ballots, to bring them in person to City Hall at 750 Lakeside Dr. SE and hand them directly to our front desk staff or place them in the secure drop box located within the Community Center vestibule. Our offices are open: - Thursday, Oct. 28 - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 29 - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 30 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 1 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ELECTION RESULTS Unofficial results will most likely be available late on election day or on Wednesday, Nov. 3. Official results will be available once the Kent County Board of Canvassers finishes reviewing all of the precinct materials from election day and certifies the results within 14 days of the election. All election results will be transmitted to Kent County Clerk’s Office servers for public viewing once the precinct and absentee ballot boards complete their work. Precinct results should be available by 9 p.m., while absentee ballots results will depend on the number of ballots still to be processed at the close of the polls. We appreciate everyone’s patience while the end of the night procedures are followed and results are transmitted.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? If you have any questions about your ballot or the voting process, please don’t hesitate to contact the City at 616.949.2110. We’re here to help and provide accurate and reliable information. Additional resources: Stay up-to-date with all things East Grand Rapids by following us on Facebook and Twitter.
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