AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION 2026

ELECTION DAY IS AUGUST 4

The August Primary Election is on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Early In-Person Voting Runs Through August 2

Early In-Person Voting will run through Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Early Voting Site for voters in the City of Traverse City is at the Governmental Center, Lower Level, 400 Boardman Avenue.

Clerk's Office Saturday Office Hours

The City Clerk’s Office will be open for election purposes on Saturday, August 1, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Absentee Voting

Due to the election being days away, it is recommended that Absentee Ballots are returned in-person at this time instead of mailing. A voter may run their absentee ballot through a tabulator during Early In-Person Voting or at their precinct on election day, return to the City Clerk’s Office, or utilize the drop box. Absentee Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Precinct 4 Location Change

As a reminder, Precinct 4 has moved polling locations.

Voting Precinct 4

Fire Station 1

500 W. Front Street

Traverse City, MI 49684

Electronic Notification System

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 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.

CITY ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM CONVERSION

NEW SYSTEM LAUNCHES

Monday, July 27, 2026, the City transitioned to a new payment system powered by BS&A Payments, providing residents and customers with a faster, more secure, and user-friendly payment experience. This payment system will replace InvoiceCloud.

The new platform offers convenient online payment options, enhanced account management features, and modern in-person payment devices at the Governmental Center. Customers will be able to make one-time payments, enroll in automatic payments, and access their payment information through an improved online portal. The new system also supports secure credit card and digital wallet transactions for those paying in person.

Existing Online Payment Users

Customers can make one-time payments without an account. However, an account must be created to enroll in AutoPay, paperless billing, or scheduled payments. The City will not charge late payment fees for water/sewer utilities during the transition period (through the end of September 2026).

Support Resources

The new payment portal includes an Online Learning Center with step-by-step tutorials covering account creation, one-time payments, and AutoPay enrollment. City staff will also be available to assist customers with the transition.

PROJECT UPDATES

COMPLETE, ACTIVE, AND UPCOMING

Farmers Market Project: Active

The Farmers Market Project mobilized and staged this past week. Beginning the week of August 3, 2026, Lot B will be closed for the duration of the project.

Cape Seal Preparation: Active

City crews will be working in various locations throughout the coming weeks to prepare roadways and asphalt surfaces for the 2026 Cape Seal pavement preservation program.

Eleventh Street Culvert/Kids Creek Restoration Project: Active

Construction continues onsite for the Kids Creek Restoration Project. The new culvert was recently placed and is a significant investment in the health of Kids Creek. Replacing the undersized crossing will improve water flow, restore aquatic habitat, enhance fish passage, and reduce flooding impacts, all while supporting ongoing efforts to remove Kids Creek from Michigan's Impaired Waters List.

To accommodate construction, the 700 and 900 blocks of Eleventh Street between Elmwood Avenue and Division Street are closed. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are encouraged to follow posted detours. The project is anticipated to be substantially completed by October 1, 2026. This work continues a long-standing regional partnership focused on restoring the health and function of the Kids Creek watershed.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Active

Construction continues on the Monroe Street Reconstruction Project, which will completely rebuild Monroe Street from W. Front Street to Bay Street while upgrading water, sanitary sewer, stormwater infrastructure, sidewalks, and pedestrian amenities. The initial phase between Bay Street and Wayne Street is substantially complete, with work continuing north toward Front Street throughout the construction season. The project remains on schedule for substantial completion by October 30, 2026, weather permitting.



Projects Completed

Pavement Marking Project

Oak Street Mill and Fill (Seventh Street and W. Thirteenth Street)

Seventh Street Mill and Fill (S. Elmwood Ave. and S. Division Street)

Elmwood Mill and Fill (W. Front Street and W. Eleventh Streets)

Washington Street Resurface (Rose Street to Prospect Street)

Cass Street Crosswalk (E. State Street and E. Front Street)



Looking Ahead

The City's 2026 Cape Seal Program is anticipated to begin in August and will preserve several residential streets by extending pavement life and protecting existing roadway investments. As part of the project, Front Street will also receive a cape seal treatment.

BE MOBILE WITH US 

YOUR INPUT - BETTER CONNECTIONS

The City recently established a Complete Streets Committee to help identify opportunities to improve mobility, accessibility, and safety for all users of our transportation network, whether walking, biking, rolling, taking transit, or driving.

As part of this effort, the City has dedicated a 1% allocation of transportation funding toward Complete Streets initiatives. While some of these dollars may be used to leverage larger infrastructure projects, the Committee is also interested in identifying smaller, low-cost improvements that can make a meaningful difference for residents and visitors.

With peak walking and biking season underway, now is the perfect time to hear from those who use our streets, sidewalks, trails, and crossings every day. Have you noticed a missing sidewalk connection, visibility concern, bicycle parking need, crosswalk issue, accessibility barrier, or another opportunity for improvement within the City limits? Tell us about it.

Your feedback will help the Complete Streets Committee identify potential "easy wins" that can improve mobility, safety, and connectivity throughout the community.

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF AUGUST 3

Michigan's 2017 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) designates galvanized water services as lead service lines if they "are or ever were" connected to a lead gooseneck, requiring utilities to pay for replacing private water services from the curb stop to the building. Lead goosenecks, installed before the mid-1940s, are 3-foot lead pipes used between the brass connection to the water main and a galvanized pipe.

The City has since installed copper services and has no known fully lead service lines. Not all private galvanized lines need replacement; those originally connected to City-owned copper services don't require replacement. The water service line replacement project started in May 2026 and is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.

Week of August 3 Locations

The week of August 3, 2026, work will be conducted on the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Birchwood, 900, 1100, 1200, and 1300 blocks of Peninsula Drive, 2000 block of Shawnee, 300 and 400 blocks of Wenonah.This work will cause lane closures and lane shifts. Additionally, the work will cause sidewalk closures.

PUBLIC BEACH

MONITORING & TESTING

The Environmental Health Division of the Grand Traverse County Health Department works closely with the City of Traverse City, Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, and the Traverse City State Park to ensure the health and safety of several public beaches in Grand Traverse County.

The Watershed Center administers grants from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to sample surface water from swim areas of the beaches. The water samples are analyzed for E. coli, a relatively harmless organism that may indicate the possible presence of harmful pathogenic microorganisms.

The Beach Monitoring Dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays. If any beaches report a "Level 2" or higher, those specific beaches will then be resampled. Resample results will be available and published 24 hours later.

On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, water sampling conducted classified all beaches as Level 1 and are considered safe for full-body contact.

FARMERS MARKET GROUNDBREAKING

PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED SPRING 2027

This week, community members, project partners, and City representatives gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market Pavilion, an exciting investment in one of the City's most beloved community gathering spaces.

Mayor Amy Shamroe, market representatives, and members of the City team spoke about the significance of the project, emphasizing the importance of community connection, honoring the market's long-standing tradition, and ensuring continued access to fresh, locally grown food while supporting the farmers and producers who make the market possible.

Fun Fact: The City's contractor, Team Elmer's, had one of its employees speak during the ceremony. Fittingly, he is not only working on the project but is also a fourth-generation farmer, a meaningful full-circle moment!

The Farmers Market Pavilion project will create a modern, flexible, and fully accessible covered space, providing vendors and visitors with protection from the elements while supporting expanded, year-round community use. The project also includes the reconstruction of Parking Lot B, with upgraded drainage and stormwater infrastructure, enhanced landscaping, and parking improvements that will better serve the market and the surrounding riverfront.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027.

CONGRATS TO TCFD'S WESTON WILLOUGHBY

SECOND PLACE FINISH AT AUSABLE RIVER CANOE MARATHON

Congratulations to Traverse City Fire Department firefighter Weston Willoughby, who earned an impressive second-place finish in the prestigious AuSable River Canoe Marathon!

Held annually on the last full weekend in July, the AuSable River Canoe Marathon is one of Michigan's premier endurance events. The race covers 120 nonstop miles from Grayling to Oscoda, beginning with a nighttime start and continuing through the night and into the following day. Competing in two-person canoes, elite paddlers navigate winding river channels, portages around dams, darkness, fatigue, and changing river conditions, making it one of the most physically and mentally demanding canoe races in the world.

Weston's outstanding performance is a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and resilience he demonstrates both on the river and in his service to the Traverse City Fire Department.

The City is incredibly proud of Weston's achievement and congratulates him on this remarkable accomplishment. Way to represent both TCFD and our community!

IN THE COMMUNITY

AU SABLE INSTITUTE

This week, students from a Restoration Ecology class at the Au Sable Institute met with the City team for a dynamic discussion on resiliency and climate adaptation. Thank you to everyone involved for the thoughtful conversation and valuable exchange of ideas on urban climate adaptation and building more resilient communities.