Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Some voters in Genoa Township will have new precincts for future elections.

The Clerk’s Department recently completed some redistricting and condensing of voting precincts from 9 to 6. Horning Elementary School has also been eliminated as a voting site.

Voters should be on the lookout in the next few weeks for their new voter ID card, if their voting location and/or precinct has changed.

The Board of Trustees met recently and approved hiring PSI Printing Signs and Designs to print and mail new voter ID cards to the 10,392 voters whose precincts have changed. It was said to be more cost-efficient to hire a firm for the printing and mailing due to the large volume. The estimated cost for the printing and postage at the bulk rate was $5,252.25.

Both the Elections Commission and the state approved the precinct redistricting.

The move is expected to result in a significant savings.

Clerk Janene Deaton commented that with early voting and absentee ballots, this will be much easier to maintain because so many people opted to vote in advance instead of on Election Day. She noted they hire and pay for a lot of workers, and the consolidation will bring down the cost of staffing.

Trustee Todd Walker was the lone opposing vote; as he felt a formal letter should accompany the new voter ID cards to explain the changes and clarify new locations. He said some people might just think they got sent a new voter ID and not notice their precinct has changed; and likely “auto-pilot” to where they’ve voted for years. Walker said that means some will go to a place that is no longer their polling location, waste the time they carved out to do their civic duty, and won’t know where to go – raising concerns that could hurt both voters and candidates.

Deaton responded that they are not the only township that condenses precincts and this is standard procedure for notification. She assured they’ll keep the website updated and utilize the My Genoa App and social media - adding people can always call with questions.

It was noted the cards state “important notice" and look official so it won’t be confused with campaign mail. Furthermore, it’s a good time as people aren't receiving a lot of campaign literature right now.

Treasurer Robin Hunt pointed out that that as someone who does frequent mailings, you can spend hours on things and people really don’t always read them or will just toss them. She said she appreciated wanting to make the effort, but didn’t know that it’s worth the expense.

It was noted the township reduced precincts around five years ago from 12 to 9, and there weren’t any instances of significant confusion amongst voters that could be recalled.

The map of new precincts is also attached.