Ann Arbor AF

Ann Arbor AF
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Politics
  • Updated Semimonthly

Get informed. Get involved. It’s your city! A podcast for folks trying to figure out what’s going on in Ann Arbor politics. We discuss current events in local politics and policy, governance, and other civic good times.

  1. 12h ago

    Primary Election 2026 #2: Stop Yelling At Clouds

    Today is the second of two episodes about the August 2026 Partisan Primary. And although we’re in Ann Arbor and in some ways this goes without saying, I’ll just say out loud that for the sake of this podcast, we are only talking about the Democratic candidates. If you haven’t already, please check out our first primary episode, where we discuss (aka have strong opinions about) the hyperlocal races, including city council, mayor, and countywide ballot proposals. Some references we dropped: Tressie McMillan Cottom’s NYT opinion on AI in politics, “This Could Be The Winning Issue for Democrats” - link (you can access it for free through the library)More Neighbors Ann Arbor meetings and newsletter (we’re not officially linked! We just love the work they do and the things they advocate for!), which included great info and calls to action. The July general meeting will feature Matthew Countryman talking about local histories of housing segregation. You know you want to.Some ways you could do your homework for this election:  Women are still underrepresented in local government, despite a woman running for presidentThis One’s for the Boys: How Gendered Political Socialization Limits Girls’ Political Ambition and InterestWhy Don’t Women Run for Office? (A brief overview with links to resources on a lot of things we talk about in this conversation.)McMorrow clarifies stance on Gaza, joins Michigan Democrats calling situation a genocideEl-Sayed’s campaign websiteMcMorrow’s campaign website“Quit yelling at clouds!”Election and voting info: Visit www.michigan.gov/vote to view a sample ballot and the latest information.No-reason absentee vote ballots are available starting June 25, 2026.Online and mail requests for an absentee ballot must be received by your township or city clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2026.Constitutionally-mandated early voting period: July 24-Aug. 2, 2026.Last day to register to vote by mail or online: July 20, 2026. New voter registrations are required in person for August election July 21-Aug. 4, 2026Documents must have your name and current address. You can use your Michigan driver’s license or state ID, a current utility bill or bank statement, your paycheck or government check, or other government document. You can register to vote, and vote in person, on Election Day at your city or township clerk’s office.Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

    41 min

  2. Jun 13

    Primary Election 2026 #1: Show Your Work

    Today is the first of two conversations preparing for the August 2026 primary election in the City of Ann Arbor; we help you do your homework for the ballot proposals and city races. We let you know how we’re voting and why, and invite you into conversation with fellow Ann Arbor AFers online.  What we’re reading as we’re thinking about as we fill out our ballots:  All Bullhorn and No Gavel: Why Ann Arbor Needs Taylor, Not Rabhi. Ann Arbor AF producer Scott Trudeau’s essay on the mayoral raceMore Neighbors Ann Arbor’s housing questionnaire! Dropping Juneteenth.Donnell Wyche’s phenomenal essay on the challenges of financing affordable housing.And as always, happy AADL Summer Game Season to all who celebrate!  Election and voting info: Visit www.michigan.gov/vote to view a sample ballot and the latest information.No-reason absentee vote ballots are available starting June 25, 2026.Online and mail requests for an absentee ballot must be received by your township or city clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2026.Constitutionally-mandated early voting period: July 24-Aug. 2, 2026.Last day to register to vote by mail or online: July 20, 2026. New voter registrations are required in person for August election July 21-Aug. 4, 2026Documents must have your name and current address. You can use your Michigan driver’s license or state ID, a current utility bill or bank statement, your paycheck or government check, or other government document. You can register to vote, and vote in person on Election Day at your city or township clerk’s office.Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

    57 min

  3. Apr 19

    Are We Really the City Who Won't Agree?

    On this episode, we invited Sunil Rajaraman, founder of Hamlet and author of a recent article about Ann Arbor city council voting patterns titled “The City That Won’t Agree,” which prompted a lot of discussion and debate online. Sunil agreed to join us to discuss his work, his data, and the surprising finding that prompted his article on Ann Arbor. References: Hamlet Ann Arbor Voting Analysis CodeWikipedia article on Mayor-council government that explains the “weak mayor” systemSupport the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

    35 min

  4. Mar 23

    A2AF Live! Comprehensive Plan, Liberated Land Use, and Special Guest Yodit Mesfin Johnson

    This episode is a special one for a lot of reasons: On March 10th, along with my cohost Jess Letaw, we did our first-ever live recording, and it was so much fun. We were joined by friend of the pod and Jess’s frequent collaborator, Yodit Mesfin Johnson, and we were hosted by the University of Michigan’s Ginsberg Center, surrounded by our neighbors from Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and the University. Many thanks to everyone who came out and everyone who helped make it possible. We talked about Ann Arbor’s current comprehensive land use plan update and the process that got us there; Jess and Yodit’s recent Liberated Land Use project, which they developed in direct response to the comprehensive plan process; and different ways for community members to get informed and get involved around local land use justice. If you missed this one, I think we’re all pretty convinced we want to do it again, so you will have other chances. In the meantime, here’s a recording of our first live episode.  Update Ann Arbor City Council adopted the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan at their March 16, 2026 meeting. Links Liberated Land Use series (YouTube / Audio)Justice InDeedFuture RootMovement Generation: Just TransitionSupport the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

    58 min

  5. Feb 19

    We're Baaaaack!

    After a quiet fall and winter…we’re baaaaaack! Today, we’re giving you a heads up on what to look forward to from Ann Arbor AF in 2026 (land use planning, library stuff, and ‘lections, plus a lot of other chats). We also take a moment to flash back to when we started the podcast in 2020, what hasn’t changed and what has in the city and for us on the pod. Given what we’re going to be talking about this year, we also recommended some past A2AF episodes as warmup, and we teed y’all up with a couple of calls to action at City Council and the Planning Commission. We also included some information on the current political moment and suggestions on how you can approach supporting our immigrant neighbors if you’re not sure where to dive in. And…we’re planning our very first Ann Arbor AF LIVE! You can find us at the Ginsberg Center on Tuesday, March 10th, at 11am, joined by special guest and absolute rockstar Yodit Mesfin Johnson to talk about housing justice, Liberated Land Use, and the comprehensive land use plan. Thanks so much to the Ginsberg Center for making this possible! Support the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (WICIR) Past episodes New Downtown Library with Eli Neiburger Deeper Dive: Boards & Commissions Deeper Dive: Master Plan & Zoning City Council Meeting: 22 February 2022 (where Jess & Molly talk about their favorite municipal reports) Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

    27 min

  6. 06/28/2025

    Library Lot 2: AADL Boogaloo (“the Squee episode”)

    Today we are talking about Proposals A & B, on the ballot this August 5th, which would authorize the city of Ann Arbor to transfer the air rights of the parking lot known as the Library Lot to the Ann Arbor District Library. Links supportaadl.com: volunteer, donate, get a lawn signYour Dream Library (see Molly's Dream Library on the Episode page)AADL Prop A & B Voting Information PageAADL Downtown Branch Feasibility study from 2019 Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

    29 min

  7. 06/09/2025

    New Downtown Library: Getting Informed with Eli Neiburger

    Today we are talking about proposals A and B on the August 5th ballot - yes, we have an August ballot! - and plans for a new downtown library. With us, we have Eli Neiburger, director of the Ann Arbor District Library, to answer our questions and talk all things factual about the ballot measures, as well as share the possibilities of a new downtown branch. Learn more at the Ann Arbor District Library Voting Information page and get involved at SupportAADL.com. Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

    48 min

  8. 05/07/2025

    [rerun] Civic Therapy: Library Lot with Dan Adams

    Learn more and get involved at SupportAADL.com Original Episode Notes In a continuation of our new miniseries, Civic Therapy, we are talking with Dan Adams about WTF, Library Lot. Dan is a corporate attorney, local housing activist, and long-time bike person. He has lived in Ann Arbor since 2008 and grew up down the road in Dexter. In November 2022 he published a long piece in Damn Arbor about the current status of the Library Lot, how we got to this place, and what we should do to get out of it. He’s here today to talk about that piece and about the Library Lot, Prop A, and all the big mad feelings. Referenced Articles Damn Arbor: Guest Opinion: Desolate and Uninviting—The Failure of 2018’s Proposal A and the Future of the Library Lot – Dan AdamsDamn Arbor: Guest article: New Council, Who Dis? A Policy Wishlist – Jessica LetawCome check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on BlueSky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no. Support the show Come check out our episodes and transcripts at our website, annarboraf.com. Keep the conversation going with fellow Ann Arbor AFers on Blue Sky and Facebook. And hey, if you wanted to ko-fi us a few dollars to help us with hosting, we wouldn't say no.

    1h 4m
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Get informed. Get involved. It’s your city! A podcast for folks trying to figure out what’s going on in Ann Arbor politics. We discuss current events in local politics and policy, governance, and other civic good times.

Information

  • Creator
    Ann Arbor AF
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ann Arbor AF
  • Show Website
    Ann Arbor AF

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