NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTION

EARLY VOTING BEGINS OCTOBER 26TH

Early In-Person Voting Begins October 26th

Early In-Person Voting will begin on Saturday, October 26, 2024, and will run through Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 9 am to 5 pm. The Early Voting Site for voters in the City of Traverse City is at the Governmental Center, Lower Level, 400 Boardman Avenue.

Absentee Voting

For those who are enrolled in the Permanent Ballot List, or who have completed an Absentee Ballot Application, ballots have been mailed.

A voter may run their absentee ballot through a tabulator during Early In-Person Voting or at their precinct on election day (and of course, you may still return the ballot to the City Clerk's Office by 8 pm on election day to have it tabulated by the Absent Voter Counting Board).

Electronic Notification System Now Live

Proposal 2022-2 amended the Michigan Constitution to include a voter’s right to receive updates on the status of their absent voter (AV) ballot applications and ballots, including by electronic notification. 

Voters can now subscribe to receive electronic notifications at Michigan.gov/Vote directly, when registering to vote, or when submitting an online AV application.

Once subscribed, voters will be notified of all the following: 

• When their AV ballot or application has been received by their local clerk,  
• When their AV ballot has been sent by their local clerk, 
• If their AV ballot or application has been rejected for any deficiency, 
• Instructions for how to cure any deficiency to have their AV ballot or application accepted.  

Have a question on the status of your voter registration, absentee ballot, or more?

Call your local Clerk. We are happy to help! Or visit, michigan.gov/vote to check the status of your registration, absentee ballot, and more.

A GREENER WAY OF LIFE

FALL CLEAN UP

Switching to electric lawn equipment is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Unlike gas-powered tools or single-stroke engines, electric equipment reduces emissions, helping to lower air pollution and your carbon footprint. It's also much quieter, reducing noise pollution in your neighborhood! With no risk of fuel spills or leaks, and requiring less maintenance, electric tools are a cleaner and more efficient choice for lawn care. Making the switch supports a greener and quieter way of life!

TCLP Rebate Program

Traverse City Light & Power has a residential rebate program to help customers save energy and money. As fall cleanup is underway, rebates are offered on a wide variety of energy-saving products including electric lawn equipment.

The program is designed specifically for our area to help you save money, save energy, and help save our environment through your own conservation.

Learn More

Use Leaves For The Good!

Leaving fall leaves on your lawn supports a greener, more eco-friendly lifestyle. Instead of raking, mulching leaves into your grass has several environmental benefits:

• Natural fertilizer: Decomposing leaves provide nutrients, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and promoting healthier grass.
• Weed prevention: Mulched leaves cover bare spots, helping to prevent weeds like dandelions and crabgrass.
• Less waste: By skipping the raking and disposal, you reduce waste and save time.
• Garden boost: Excess leaves can be used as mulch around garden beds, trees, and shrubs, improving soil health and reducing weeds.

This approach benefits both the environment and your lawn.

Learn More

LEAF PICK UP

BEGINS OCTOBER 28TH

The Fall Loose Leaf Pick-Up will begin Monday, October 28th in City neighborhoods, starting on the west side and moving eastward over 5 to 7 weekdays. Crews will then return to the west side to repeat the process.

The City is launching a new map to streamline its annual leaf pickup program, dividing the city into six zones for efficient service. Leaf collection will begin on the west side in Zone 1 and progress eastward through all zones. Residents can view the map to identify their zone and prepare for leaf pickup accordingly. Due to weather conditions and the unpredictability of leaf fall, exact dates for each zone's pickup will not be provided. The City encourages residents to be ready by having their leaves gathered before collection starts in their zone.

Progress updates will be announced via social media and will also be available on the interactive map on the City's Leaf Pickup webpage. While crews may clean streets outside the scheduled zone to finish up the day, if they are not officially picking up in that zone, they will return at the appropriate time. This zoned approach will help ensure timely and effective leaf removal across the City.

Fun Fact: The City’s Loose Leaf Pick-Up program prevents leaves from ending up in landfills and catch basins. The leaves are composted, turned into rich screened topsoil, and used by the Parks Division for flower beds!

HALLOWEEN

OPEN HOUSE

Get into the Halloween spirit at the City and Grand Traverse County's family-friendly Halloween Open House! Join the fun on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Governmental Center, 400 Boardman Avenue.

This community-favorite event offers trick-or-treating, festive activities, and a chance to meet local government staff in a fun, welcoming environment. Come in costume and bring the whole family for Halloween fun!

Gourdoween: October 22nd-31st

A brand-new tradition is set to debut this year—Gourdoween! Get ready for a spooktacular showdown as City and Grand Traverse County departments face off in a creative challenge to craft the ultimate gourd diorama. These eerie or quirky displays will be on view at the Governmental Center, where the public will get the chance to cast their vote for their favorite between October 22nd and October 31st. Which department will win the coveted Gourdoween title? Only your vote can decide!

PUMPKIN SMASHING EXTRAVAGANZA

The City is excited to team up with Carter’s Compost and SEEDS on the Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza, a community event focused on sustainability and fun, happening on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10 am to 1 pm at the City’s in-vessel composting unit, located at 143 Beitner. This free event will welcome the public to smash their pumpkins at various activity stations. In addition, pumpkin drop-off will be allowed from November 1st, and will continue until 1 pm on November 9th. Pumpkins should be free of any decorations and paint.

The new 20-yard in-vessel composting unit is a key part of the City’s Compost and Food Waste Reduction project. This fully enclosed system, ideal for urban settings, can process approximately 150 tons of food waste annually.

The City aims to divert 1 ton of pumpkins from landfills. This event is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and educate the public on how they can make incremental steps toward food waste reduction.

HICKORY HILLS RECREATION UPDATES

SEASON PASSES GO ON SALE NOVEMBER 1ST

Season Passes

The City is gearing up for the winter season at Hickory Hills! Season passes for Hickory Hills go on sale on November 1st. Alpine season pass holders may also use Nordic trails at no additional charge.

The City's new software will offer more options to make your adventurous days at Hickory easier than ever. Waivers may be completed ahead of time, money can be added to pass holder accounts for use on anything at Hickory (think snacks and merch!), and day passes may now be purchased online from the comfort of home.

Hickory Purchase Portal

Seasonal Positions

JOIN THE FUN! The City is now hiring for seasonal positions at Hickory Hills. 

Learn More

Gift Cards

Give the gift of ADVENTURE!

Hickory Hills Gift Cards make the perfect gift! Whether it is a contribution toward a season pass, a few fun-filled days on the hill, or extra dollars for slope snacks, this gift will have you feeling good about your gift giving skills. And it's easy!

Purchase a Gift Card

Disc Golf Season Concludes

Disc Golf baskets will begin to be removed to prepare for the ski season the first week of November.

THINK TANK RECORDINGS

The City is developing a community-driven Strategic Action Plan through 2030, building on current achievements and setting a sustainable path forward. The process will be inclusive, transparent, and focused on Traverse City’s future. Recordings from the October Think Tank sessions are now available.

Watch Think Tank Recordings

In addition to the Think Tank workshops, this project will include surveys and community visioning sessions to reach as many residents as possible, including sessions scheduled for November. Keep an eye on the project portal and join the project mailing list to stay up to date on opportunities to get involved.

MDOT UPDATES

The MDOT project is substantially complete, as lane shifts have occurred to accommodate east/west traffic on the north and south sides of Grandview Parkway. Temporary traffic control measures may still occur occasionally to complete work activities.

The northwest-bound lane will continue to be closed as work activities are completed for irrigation. Intersections are to remain open. The West End parking lot, Lot RB, and Marina Drive are now accessible.

Thank you for your patience, and big kudos to the team for completing the project ahead of schedule. The City will work with MDOT to communicate any future disruptions related to the project.

ASK THE CITY

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ANSWER

“Ask the City” allows residents to submit questions to City staff and receive personalized video responses. Once a resident’s question is answered, they will be notified via email, ensuring quick and clear communication. This platform gives every community member a direct line to City employees, creating an open forum for dialogue and making it easier than ever to engage with the City.

This program will be implemented as a three-month pilot project, after which its effectiveness will be evaluated to determine its continuation based on community interest. Residents are encouraged to take part in the conversation and explore the new platform. Additionally, a button labeled “Ask the City” on the City’s homepage will link directly to the platform. 

How has recent legislation made absentee voting easier, and what new options are available for returning absentee ballots?

IN THE COMMUNITY

SISTER CITIES TREE PLANTING CEREMONY

In September, a delegation from Japan joined community members at the Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park for a special tree planting ceremony, celebrating the long-standing relationship between Traverse City and its sister city, Koka, Shiga, Japan.