KALAMAZOO, MI — Those living in precincts 2, 4 and 17 in the city of Kalamazoo will have a new polling location this November.
The Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously approved a resolution at its Monday, Aug. 21, meeting changing the polling locations for the three precincts. The change will take effect for the Nov. 7 election this year and be in effect for each election thereafter, according to city documents.
Those who have voted previously at the Western Michigan University Bernhard Center or at the Covenant United Reformed Church, at 3724 Lovers Lane, have a new polling location moving forward.
The new polling locations are as follows:
• Precincts 2 and 4: WMU Student Center, 1070 Arcadia Loop (formerly Bernhard Center)
• Precinct 17: Greenwood Reformed Church, at 1815 Winton Ave. (formerly Covenant United)
The changes made were a result of the forthcoming demolition of the Bernhard Center, in accordance with the recent opening of the new student center, as well as a direct request from Covenant United.
Related: See inside Western Michigan University’s new $99M student center
In May, the city clerk’s office received a letter from the clerk of Covenant United requesting the city no longer use the church as a polling location.
In selection the new polling locations, election division staff took into account size and layout of the voting areas, parking availability, proximity to voters being served and ADA accessibility.
Changes will be communicated to voters in numerous ways, city officials stated. A new voter registration card will be sent to the approximately 5,495 registered voters affected. Signs will also be posted at the former polling locations directing voters to new polling facilities. Finally, the city’s website will be updated so that precinct maps, driving directions and street guides contain current information.
The cost to send new voter cards to registered voters is $2,250 and will be covered by funds in the election division’s 2023 budget. The city will also pay rental fees at the new locations that are in line with the fees paid for the rental of other polling facilities, officials said.
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