City of Jackson residents will have two ballot proposals to consider this Election Day and will have new opportunities to vote via absentee ballot.
The City of Jackson announced today that for the first time ever, they are opening City Hall this Saturday from 10AM to 2PM for in-person absentee voting. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Saturday Nov 3 at 2pm. Voters can still cast in-person absentee ballots, or pickup an absentee ballot on Monday, November 5 and Tuesday, November 6. But all absentee ballots must be returned to the Clerk’s Office by 8pm on Tuesday, November 6. (UPDATED TO CORRECT WEEKEND HOURS)
The ballot proposals were placed on the ballot by the Jackson City Council based on a recommendation from the City of Jackson Charter Review Committee. The first question concerns eliminating the requirement that appointed officials be residents of the City of Jackson. The second question asks about eliminating the requirement that ward numbers be listed on petitions that circulate in the city, and eliminates the requirement that circulators be city residents.
According to Jackson Public Information Officer Aaron Dimick, these were brought forward by the Charter Review Committee to get city rules in line with state law. The purpose of these ballot questions is to officially update language in the city’s charter. In a press release, the City states that “City government is currently cooperating with state laws regarding these matters, so the outcome of the votes will not change how the city conducts business”.
The proposals read as follows:
Shall Section 7.5 of the Jackson City Charter be amended to eliminate the requirement that appointed officials be residents of the City in acknowledgment of the State law provisions against residency requirements?
Shall Section 10.3 of the Jackson City Charter be amended to eliminate the requirement for Ward numbers on petitions and to remove the requirement that the petition circulator be a City resident in acknowledgment of State law provisions against requiring Ward numbers and resident circulators?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 6 and polls will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM.