Grand Rapids opens new Election Center ahead of March primary

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The city of Grand Rapids has opened a new Election Center ahead of the March Primary.

The center is located at 201 Market Avenue SW in Grand Rapids and is open 12-5 p.m. Monday through Friday through March 10.

The goal of the center is to make it easier for residents to vote, apply for absentee ballots and get information ahead of the election.

"We've already mailed out about 15,000 ballots," said City Clerk Joel Hondorp. He says if you are one of the voters whose candidate has dropped out you can still spoil your ballot by doing it in writing. The city will either mail you a new ballot or you can come and fill out a new one at city hall or election central.

The city says there is free parking in the lot adjacent to the building, which is also home to the city's parks and recreation and public works departments.

The center and the clerk's office in city hall will be open this Saturday, March 7 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for people to get their absentee ballot.