Akron City Council is asking the Summit County Board of Elections  to establish an early voting location in time for the November election.

Council President Marco Sommerville says that by having a site in place, the voting process would operate more smoothly.

"We want to make sure that when the day of voting comes, that people aren't waiting in long lines to vote,"he said.

"If they were to go to outside voting, it would be better for the general public."

Council passed an ordinance Monday night urging the Board of Elections to establish an early voting location in Akron.

The Summit County Board of Elections expects up to 25,000 voters to cast absentee ballots in-person for the November election.

At-large Councilman Jeff Fusco says a  offsite voting facility is necessary when voter turnout is high.

"It's a presidential year, and typically the amount of people participating is increased."

At Large Councilman Jeff Fusco by Akron NewsNow

In 2008, over 40,000 people voted early on E.Tallmadge Ave, which was located on the site of the Job Center and other county offices.

President Sommerville is confident that the Board will decide in the Council's favor to establish a new early voting location during their monthly meeting Tuesday morning. It is unclear if the Board will approve a new location or direct people to their offices when election time comes around.

"We're confident they'll do the right thing," Sommerville explained.

City Council President Marco Sommerville by Akron NewsNow

The Board of Elections will meet at 9.a.m. at their Grant Street office. 

Council also passed an ordinance congratulating Miami Heat forward and Akron native LeBron James on winning his first NBA Championship.

In an effort to address the ever-growing issue of violence in the community, the city of Akron is asking the public to step up and come forward to help solve these senseless murders.

Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville says Akron Police can't do it alone.

"In order for the police to apprehend these individuals, we need more information," Sommerville said.

"Every day that goes by, it becomes harder and harder for police to solve these cases and they need to talk about it and tell us so we can get these people off the street."

There have been two murders within two weeks on the city's west side. Both have no suspects in custody.

  City Council President Marco Sommerville by Aaron Coleman

At the City Council meeting Monday night,  Sommerville commended a group of Buchtel High School girls who addressed the Council during the meeting's public speaking period.

We're going to work with them, develop them, and also figure out through them how we can change this tide of violence in the community."

Rachel Whittaker, who leads an anti-violence group says it's been a scary time in her neighborhood.

"I was at track practice and I was scared, and I see certain things and I'm scared to go to school, scared to walk up and down the streets," Whittaker said.

 Listen to Whittaker address the Council here:

  Rachel Whittaker by Aaron Coleman

 The group, called "Praying for Better Days"  says that they formed together to try and heal their community and end community violence as a tribute to their classmate Willie Brewer III, who tragically passed away March 30.

Sommerville knows that this group is going to need some tools to be effective and said he and the rest of the Council body and administration would willingly work with them, including helping find a home base.

"We have community centers and community learning centers at our disposal," he explained.

"We also need to see what else the group needs in order to be successful and see what the city needs to be safe and successful."

Other community groups in attendance last night were the Stop the Violence Coalition and Love Akron.

Ward 4 Councilman Russel Neal, Jr. says communication is the key to keeping Akron safe and tragedies from happening.

"If we're going to do anything, is has to be now," Neal said.