City of Marquette voters who have previously placed their name on the city’s permanent absentee ballot list can expect to automatically receive an absentee ballot in the mail prior to each upcoming election and will no longer need to apply prior to each election. 

However, before receiving a ballot for the upcoming Feb. 27 Presidential Primary Election, these voters must first complete a ballot selection form that is being mailed out this week. Per state law, Michigan’s Presidential Primary ballots are party-specific, and voters may only vote in one party; therefore, absentee voters must make their party selection in advance to allow for the delivery of the correct ballot. 

Voters who would like an absentee ballot for the Feb. 27 Presidential Primary but have not yet requested one can submit an application online at www.mi.gov/vote, or they can begin the process by contacting the City Clerk’s office at clerk@marquettemi.gov. 

The Board of Zoning Appeals regular meeting on January 4, 2024, has been canceled.   The next scheduled meeting will be held on February 1, 2024.

Lakeshore Boulevard will be closed to through traffic for storm drain maintenance work between Pine Street and Fair Street on Friday, December 22. This project will begin at 7 a.m. and is expected to be completed by the end of the day. A detour will be provided.

Lakeshore Boulevard will be closed to through traffic for storm drain maintenance work between Pine Street and Fair Street on Thursday, December 21st. This project will begin at 7 a.m. and is expected to be completed by the end of the day. A detour will be provided.

The public is invited to an additional Holiday Open Skate at Lakeview Arena, Friday, December 22from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Cost is $7 adults, $6 youth (12 & under), $6 seniors (over 50), $7 skate rental.

Wear your holiday attire and skate to some holiday tunes!

This is in addition to the daily afternoon open skate from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

City offices located at Marquette City Hall, 300 W. Baraga Avenue; the Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Avenue; the Arts and Culture Center, 217 N. Front St. (in the Peter White Public Library); and the Municipal Service Center, 1100 Wright Street, will be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays on the following days:

• Monday, Dec. 25
• Tuesday, Dec. 26
• Monday, Jan. 1
• Tuesday, Jan. 2

Marquette Police, Fire, and Public Works and Utilities will remain operational during this time.

There will be no change in garbage pickup for City residents.

The regular meeting of the Police and Fire Pension Board scheduled for December 19, 2023 has been canceled.

ELECTION PRECINCT CONSOLIDATION AND POLLING LOCATIONS

The City of Marquette this month made changes to the election precinct boundaries and City polling locations. On Dec. 4, the City Election Board approved new boundaries for four election precincts. The following week, the City Commission adopted a resolution establishing election day polling locations for voters in each precinct.

The following is a representation of the City’s new precinct boundaries and associated polling location:

Registered voters in the city whose precincts or polling locations have changed will receive a new voter ID card in the mail. For further information, please contact the Clerk’s office at 906-228-0430 or clerk@marquettemi.gov or visit the City’s voter information webpage at www.marquettemi.gov/vote.

Properties paying the “Solid Waste” fee on their monthly bills are eligible to use the Christmas tree drop-off sites.  Owners and tenants of properties not paying the fee should contact their regular waste hauler for service.  These sites are supported by fees, not taxes.

Beginning December 26, 2023 through January 9, 2024 there will be two (2) drop-off sites available for Christmas tree disposal.

Site one is located at the west end of Lakeview Arena parking lot, 401 E Fair Ave. Place tree inside orange fencing.

Site two is located at Hurley Field, 240 Mesnard St. Place tree inside orange fencing.

Residents are to remove all decorations and stands before disposing of their tree.

The Marquette Public Art Commission meeting originally scheduled for Wednesday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. has been canceled. The next meeting will be held January 10, 2024 at 6:30pm in the Arts & Culture Center, located in the lower level of Peter White Public Library.