Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote, a service run by the Michigan Secretary of State that requires a valid Michigan driver's license or state ID. In-person registration is available at City Hall located at 15115 East Jefferson Avenue, at any Secretary of State branch, or at Wayne County Clerk offices. Michigan's Election Day registration allows eligible residents to register and vote the same day at their city clerk's office or polling place, though officials encourage advance registration. Proof of residency is required - any current document showing name and address will suffice. Municipal elections in the city determine the Mayor and City Council positions. The government consists of a Mayor and six Council members who serve staggered terms. These elections take place in odd-numbered years, usually in November. The next city elections arrive in November 2025, when three Council seats and potentially the Mayor's position will appear on the ballot. Information on candidates, filings, and local ballot proposals gets posted at grossepointepark.org and at City Hall. The City Clerk manages candidate petition filing periods, which typically run in the spring for November elections. Finding your polling location is straightforward through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote, which offers a personalized lookup requiring only your name and birth date. The city operates several polling sites across its precincts, generally at schools, community centers, and municipal buildings. Sample ballots displaying all races and ballot questions become available roughly 45 days before each election. Michigan maintains extensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists can be purchased for election related purposes through the Wayne County Clerk. Campaign finance records for local, county, and state candidates are searchable through the Michigan Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Reporting system at michigan.gov/sos. Candidate filings, petitions, and ballot language are public records - available from the City Clerk for municipal races and from the Wayne County Clerk for county and state races. Precinct-level results for the city are published by Wayne County after each election and can be found at waynecounty.com/elected/clerk/elections.aspx and through the Michigan Secretary of State at michigan.gov/vote. During the November 2024 presidential election, Wayne County reported approximately 54% voter turnout among registered voters. Grosse Pointe Park typically achieves higher participation, with turnout in the 65-75% range reflecting strong civic engagement. The county recorded over 900,000 votes cast in the presidential race. On November 3, 2026, voters throughout the city and Wayne County will decide several important races. Michigan's 2026 general election will include the Governor's race (Governor Gretchen Whitmer's current term expires in 2027, making this election critical), all 110 Michigan House of Representatives seats, several Michigan Senate seats in districts on the rotation, and Wayne County positions including County Executive, County Commissioners, and possibly judicial seats. Voters should verify specific ballot contents closer to the election date. While no U.S. Senate seat from Michigan is scheduled for 2026 (next in 2024 and 2028), there may be special elections or ballot proposals. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots (called "absent voter ballots" in Michigan) without providing a reason under changes approved by voters in 2018. Registered voters can apply for absent voter status online through michigan.gov/vote or by submitting a written application to the City Clerk. Once approved, voters automatically receive ballot applications for all future elections. Completed ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmarks do not count - must be received), by dropping in the ballot drop box at City Hall (available 24/7 during the voting period), or by delivering in person to the City Clerk's office. Michigan also allows in-person absentee voting at the city clerk's office beginning 40 days before Election Day.