Commission approves temporary consolidation of precincts for May 8 special election

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to temporarily relocate and consolidate several voting precincts for the May 8, 2018 special election as a cost‑saving measure and because the city clerk’s office said only a single ballot item would appear for Mount Clemens.

Specifically, precincts 1 and 5 will be consolidated with precinct 6 to vote at City Hall (one Crocker Boulevard) for this election only; precincts 3 and 4 will also be consolidated into one precinct. The clerk noted Michigan election law requires 60 days’ notice for moving a precinct and that the election commission approved the temporary consolidation at its Jan. 31 meeting. The clerk said affected voters would be notified by mail in April and the city would post notices on Facebook, the city website, the Journal newspaper, and place signs at affected polling places.

Commissioners asked whether Macomb Community College (which placed a millage renewal on the ballot) would reimburse the city for costs; the clerk said the college indicated it would reimburse. Concerns were raised about senior accessibility; the clerk noted many voters use absentee ballots or dial‑ride services. The motion passed by roll call with unanimous ‘‘yes’’ votes.

Notices, mailings and posted signage were described as the clerk’s responsibility; the commission did not record additional procedural exceptions in the transcript.