From the Clerk's Desk

When, What, Where, How of the November 5, 2024 Election

When is the next election?

The next election that our residents will vote in will be the General Election on November 5, 2024.

When can I register to vote?

You may register to vote online ANYTIME up to 15 days before an election utilizing the Michigan Voter Information Center! If you’re registering to vote AFTER October 20, 2024, you must appear in person at our Clerk’s office to have a smooth experience on Election Day.

How can I vote?

You can vote one of three ways! Vote absentee by mail, vote early in-person the 9 days leading up to an election, or vote in-person at your assigned precincts on election day.

Where do I vote?

Absentee voting: the members of community on the absent voter lists (Permanent Ballot Voters and Permanent Absent Voters) should expect to see election mail regarding their application for absent voter or their ballot via USPS towards the end of September or the beginning of October. You’re able to vote this right at your kitchen table! However, it’s important that you return them upon their completion, no need to wait! We encourage voters to return their ballots to us via drop box as we keep them secured until they are ready to be processed closer to election day.

Early Voting: We are hosting our Early Voting site at our Township Hall! Located at 7330 Thornapple River Drive, beginning October 26, 2024, until November 3, 2024. We will be open 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. to receive early voters.

In Precinct: Voters are able to vote in-person on election day from 7:00 A.M.- 8:00 P.M.

What am I voting on?

The November general election will include but is not limited to the following races: President and Vice President of the United States, Congressional Representatives, State Representatives, State Board of Education and other University rolls, County government, Ada Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees, and ballot initiatives and millages. Sample Ballots will be available in the Clerk’s Office at the beginning of October!

How can I get involved?

We are always looking for more election inspectors to assist us with administering Ada Township Elections. Our inspectors make $15/hr and are fed breakfast, lunch and dinner during the duration of election day. We’re looking for tech savvy people to join our team for a busy election! Contact emcintosh@adatownshipmi.com for an application or stop by Township Hall.

Elections

The Clerk is responsible for administering all elections and maintaining an accurate registration file for all residents that are registered to vote.

We work in conjunction with the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office and with Kent County to keep the records current with changes coming from the driver’s license file. Michigan maintains a statewide voter registration system.

Our Precincts are as follows:

• Keystone Church, 655 Spaulding Ave SE, Ada MI 49301- Precinct 1 and 2
• Ada Congregational Church, 6330 Ada Drive SE- Precinct 3 and 6
• Roselle Park, 1010 Grand River Drive NE- Precinct 4 and 5
• Early Voting is located at our Ada Township Hall (7330 Thornapple River Drive SE) and is open for 9 days before the election, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and is closed at 8:00 P.M. on election night.
• Absent Voter Count Board, 7351 Bronson Street SE- All Precincts

For more information and FAQs, please visit the Election Information section of our website.

Township Records and FOIA

The Clerk is responsible for maintaining custody of all legal documents such as deeds, bids, contracts, judgments, bonds, insurance, personnel files, and the oath book.

Recording, publishing and maintaining minutes of the Township Board, publishing and posting notices of Board Meetings are duties carried out by the Clerk’s Office. In addition to these, the Clerk’s Office maintains Ordinance and Resolution records.

Burning Permits

The Ada Township Clerk’s Office distributes free Burn Permits, M-F, from 8am–5pm. Burn Permits can be issued by the Township Hall in person or over the telephone. You must speak with a person to obtain a Burn Permit, and it will not be valid if you leave a voice mail. Permits are issued for one week. Please prepare to provide the following information:

1. Your Name
2. Burn Site Address
3. A Call-Back Phone Number

Permitted Burn Dates

As is stated in the Ordinance, open burning is restricted to the period November 1 - April 30 in the portion of the Township located south of Fulton St. and west of the Grand River. Residents in other areas of the Township may burn year-round. Please note that in periods of extreme weather, including dry and/or very windy conditions, the township may suspend the issuance of burn permits.

Summary of Rules

• The fire must be attended by adults at all times.
• The fire must be completely out at dusk.
• The fire cannot be for waste disposal.
• The fire cannot be within 50 feet from any structure.
• The fire must not offend neighbors

ORDINANCE INFOMATION

For information about Ada Township’s Code of Ordinances, please click here.

Ordinance Information Pertaining to Section 34-63:

Restricted areas means that portion of the township located south of Fulton (M-21) and west of the Grand River.

Sec. 34-63. Limitations on open burning.

(a) Within restricted area. (1) Open burning of yard clippings is prohibited within the restricted area. (2) Open burning of shrubbery, brush and tree trimmings is allowed within the restricted area: a. Only during the months of November through April; b. Only in compliance with the requirements of the BOCA National Fire Protection Code, as adopted by the township (the code) and Public Act No. 451 of 1994, § 51501 et seq. (MCL 324.51501 et seq., MSA 13A.51501 et seq.) (Act 451); and c. After receipt of a permit pursuant to the code or Act 451; provided that the township fire chief or his designee in his sole discretion, may also permit such open burning at any time in response to unusual conditions caused by a severe windstorm or other natural disaster. (3) Other open burning within the restricted area is allowed in compliance with the code and Act 451 after receipt of a permit pursuant to the code and Act 451. (b) Outside restricted area. Open burning in areas of the township which are not within the restricted area is allowed only in compliance with the code and Act 451 after receipt of a permit issued pursuant to the code or Act 451, provided that the township fire chief or his designee, in his sole discretion, may also permit such open burning at any time in response to unusual conditions caused by a severe windstorm or other natural disaster.

(Ord. No. O-071095-1, §§ 3, 4, 7-10-1995)