This August and then in November, voters in Lima Township who go in person to cast their ballots will not be doing so at township hall. Rather, they will be headed down the road to 12126 Jackson Road at the Church of the Nazarene.
At a special meeting on June 1, the Lima Township Board approved a proposal to move the voting location to a place that is more ADA compliant.
ADA compliant means adhering to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures equal access to physical spaces, digital environments, and employment opportunities by removing barriers and providing necessary accommodations.
The actual vote of the township board had a motion made by township clerk Ann Kwaske that was seconded by township supervisor Bill Van Riper, to move the Lima Township polling place to the Chelsea Church of the Nazarene at 12126 Jackson Road for the August and November elections.
The motion passed 3 to 1, with township treasurer Nanette Havens absent. Township trustee Dale Luick voted against it. During the meeting, Luick said in the past he’s supported fixing this issue, but now since there haven’t been any problems or issues with voting at township hall, it should remain there. He said everyone knows to vote at township hall being a reason.
The Sun Times News followed up with the township to learn more.
Kwaske said the move of the polling place is being done for better accessibility.
“We want to provide a site that is barrier free for all residents that want to vote in person on Election Day,” Kwaske said. “The Deputy Clerk and I visited the Church and think it is an ideal location, with the entry at ground level, a paved parking lot, accessible restrooms, and a larger area for voting.”
The Church is next door to the township office building and is less than a mile west of Township Hall on the same road.
Cheryl Quinn, township deputy clerk, said, “We have learned through the State Board of Elections that voters with disabilities represent over 15 percent of the American electorate. It’s the job of our local elected officials to make sure that all constituents have the ability to cast a ballot accessibly. This move in polling place will also allow election workers with disabilities to be accommodated appropriately.”
Lima currently has one precinct, so Election Day voting for all Lima Township electors will be at the new location for the August 4 Primary and November 3 General elections. This only applies to Election Day voting. Early voting for Lima Township will still be held at Sylvan Township Hall as it was in 2024.
So Lima voters are aware, Election Day in-person voting will be at the Church of the Nazarene.
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
