Proposal 22-2, the Right to Voting Policies Amendment, gave voters the right to a minimum of nine days of early in-person voting for all State and Federal elections. The early in-person voting must be “polling place style,” meaning that voters place their ballots into a tabulator, which is different than absentee voting. Because of the additional burden on local governments to offer early voting, the Proposal allows municipalities to contract with the County Clerk for a collaborative process.
In February 2023, the County Clerk engaged with the DSI to begin a cost-estimating process and provide input in strategic planning. By August 2023, final cost estimates and a robust plan in coordination with all Ottawa County municipalities were sent to the Board of Commissioners for approval. The DSI was proud to assist in the cost estimation and analysis of such a momentous achievement for the County Clerk’s Office. The plan was unanimously approved by the board on September 26, 2023.