Mega guide: A roundup of AnnArbor.com's primary election coverage and where to vote today

Posted on Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 5:58 a.m.

Mega guide: A roundup of AnnArbor.com's primary election coverage and where to vote today

By Ryan J. Stanton

Updated: Results from Tuesday's election.

Ann Arbor City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry said she's expecting a relatively low turnout in today's primary election — somewhere around 10 percent — as city voters in Wards 2, 3 and 5 head to the polls to determine Democratic candidate nominations for City Council.

Beaudry stressed the primary election is in Wards 2, 3 and 5 only. Polling places will not be open in Wards 1 and 4, where two council members are running uncontested.

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Photo identification is required to receive a ballot.

Beaudry noted there is construction at the Second Baptist Church, 850 Red Oak Road, the polling location for Precinct 5-3. Voters should access the church parking lot from the north entrance off Red Oak.

There also is parking lot construction at Haisley Elementary School, 825 Duncan St., the polling location for Precinct 5-9. Beaudry said voters will need to park on Duncan Street and use the sidewalk.

Residents can confirm their ward and polling location by calling the clerk’s office at (734) 794-6140 or by visiting the city’s "My Property Information" webpage.

Council Member Stephen Rapundalo, D-2nd Ward, is defending his seat against Democratic challenger Tim Hull, a computer programmer at the University of Michigan.

Council Member Stephen Kunselman, D-3rd Ward, is defending his seat against two Democratic challengers — Ingrid Ault, executive director of Think Local First, and Marwan Issa, technology director at Global Education Excellence.

Council Member Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward, is defending his seat against Democratic challenger Neal Elyakin, special education supervisor for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and a member of the city's Human Rights Commission.

Republican challengers await the winners of the 3rd Ward and 5th Ward primary races, though the chances of any member of the GOP winning either race are slim.

Here's a roundup of recent AnnArbor.com coverage of the races:

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.

Comments

brightside

Wed, Aug 3, 2011 : 12:06 a.m.

For the record: photo id is not required to receive a ballot. If a voter does not have a photo id, or has left it at home or even in the car, he or she can simply sign the affidavit on the back of the slip of paper requesting a ballot. Nor is a driver's license required to be scanned by the computer to record that you received a ballot. It's always helpful to know one's rights.

dotdash

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.

I was the 100th voter in 2-3 and 2-4 voting today at 6:30. From that, I guestimate about 600 total voters will represent the 22,000 who live in Ward 2. I'm trying not to let it go to my head, but a certain smugness creeps in in spite of my best efforts at humility. Bow before me, nonvoters! (oops, I think that got away from me).

Mark Boonstra

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.

It's high time that the media stop telling the voters how they should vote, or how the elections will come out before the votes have even been taken. Give the people some credit; they're smarter than you think. And the Republicans might surprise you someday. Please just report the news. Mark T. Boonstra, Chair, Washtenaw County Republican Committee.

foreveryoung

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.

Neal is an independent thinker and a thoughtful, smart man. He will look at all sides of an issue and consider the needs of his constituents. He also has a lot of experience with consensus building which will help us build a stronger, greener Ann Arbor. Vote for Neal Elyakin.

Mallory

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.

Admittedly I don't follow election things as well as I should, but I didn't know that today was a voting day. Is there a map somewhere of the wards? Maybe I'm in one of the two that aren't voting.

Mallory

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.

Thanks!

Tony Dearing

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.

If you want to know what ward you live in, go back up to the story and click on the link to the city's "My Property Information" web page. When you get to that page, go to the bottom and type your address in and click on the button that says "Validate.'' When you get the result, click on the tab that says "Voting'' and it will tell you what ward and precinct you are in. Or to see a map of the wards, go to this link, go to the bottom of the page and click on "Ward Boundaries Map.'' <a href="http://www.a2gov.org/government/city_administration/City_Clerk/Elections/Pages/Elections.aspx" rel='nofollow'>http://www.a2gov.org/government/city_administration/City_Clerk/Elections/Pages/Elections.aspx</a>

Urban Sombrero

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.

I voted! Ward 3 (Scarlett Middle School) was a ghost town! It always amazes me how few people care to vote in primaries.

Urban Sombrero

Wed, Aug 3, 2011 : 12:42 a.m.

@MjC....it was the same when I voted. I kind of felt like a celebrity! It was awesome. Side note: Kudos to the election workers. Scarlett doesn't have A/C, so those volunteers were sitting there, in the hot gym all day. I really give them credit for their dedication. To any of you who may be reading this, Thank you!

MjC

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.

I was the 48th voter at Thurston School around 4pm. The election workers were so excited to see me! Here's an election where your vote really will count!

Urban Sombrero

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.

Wanted to add: nothing burns me up more that people who whine and complain and moan about the government, yet refuse to vote. The last midterm election should have proven to everyone that voting DOES count! Make your voice heard! Especially women. There are places in this world where we are not allowed this very basic right. We live in a country that gives us the option to make our voices heard. USE YOUR VOICE! VOTE! Stepping off my soapbox now.

Bob Carlin

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.

Yes, the lack of interest in who runs AA is stunning. What the city council does has a real effect on people who live here. You may not have much impact in national elections, but AA could be a representative government if people cared to participate. Best thing to do--Vote!

MjC

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.

Yesterday at 4pm I saw a man stalking a young woman and snapping photos of her behind with his cell phone camera right on STATE STREET at THOMPSON. He didn't stop until I rolled my window down and shouted at him. The young lady was finally able to cross the intersection and get away from the creep. THIS is what's happening in our town as we keep electing the same reps who think it's fine to cut down the police force. Last week a woman was approached by a creep with a knife threatening to rob her at 7:45AM in front of a UM office building. THIS is the kind of crap that goes on when there are no visible signs of authority and no one even bothers to get out and vote! Keep electing the people who support homeless shelters and police force cutbacks and see what kind of city this town will turn into. I feel sad for decent people who are struggling too, but A2 is attracting the bad and the ugly and we're not supporting the people who have to protect us. It's madness... so please get out there and VOTE.

Urban Sombrero

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.

Good for you for yelling at him. I wish more citizens would stand up, like you did, and say (or scream) when they see something wrong happening. You should be proud of yourself! :)

deb

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 3 p.m.

Anyone who supports the dda and the fuller road parking structure is not a good representative of the Fifth Ward. Vote for Mr. Anglin

Rita Mitchell

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.

Fifth Ward voters: We are fortunate to have Mike Anglin representing us on Council. He knows the ward and consistently responds to the concerns of residents. We need his independent questioning approach that helps us all understand the multiple layers of issues that surround many of the decisions that are brought to Council. Remember to go to the polls. Vote for Mike!

Stephen Landes

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.

Ryan -- your comment about the chances of Republican candidates in the election is inappropriate in a news article. This comment should be removed immediately.

Bill

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.

I would agree. If this is a news story and not an editorial, then such comment is inappropriate. It would have been appropriate to point out historically how Republican candidates had not been able to gain positions in these Wards.

Bob Carlin

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.

I'd take the other side of Mr. Gustav Cappaert's comment. There's lots of information that points to Neal Elyakin as a supporter of what's called the "Council Party"--that inner group which runs the city. They don't like independent thinking and Neal will fit right in as a politician who plans to spend our money without considering our wishes. Mike Anglin has a long track record of representing the voters of the 5th ward. He's responsive to residents and cares about what happens to neighborhoods.

Bertha Venation

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.

Right on!

Gustav Cappaert

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 10:43 a.m.

If you live in the Fifth Ward, check out Neal Elyakin's website: [link] or give him a call at home (996-0476). I grew up down the street from the guy and I respect him a lot. He's got a lot of energy and curiosity, works very hard, and enjoys thinking about city issues from all angles. There is no doubt in my mind that Neal will be an active and independent councilman, someone you can really get to know.

Bertha Venation

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.

Ya... uh... read the blog. Absolutely no thanks! I'll stick with Mike.

Roadman

Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.

Check out "Neal's Blog" at <a href="http://www.neal-elyakin.blogspot.com" rel='nofollow'>www.neal-elyakin.blogspot.com</a> for some of his views.