Election Day Guide: What Detroit-Area Voters Need To Know Before Hitting The Polls

DETROIT (WWJ) - Tuesday, November 8 is Election Day across Michigan -- and voters sure do have their work cut out for them.

Michigan voters will choose a president, 14 US House representatives, two state Supreme Court justices and all 110 Michigan House members, with the GOP's majority at stake. The spotlight will be on the race for president and who gets Michigan's 16 electoral votes, along with the 1st Congressional District race in northern Michigan, where Democrats think they can take back the seat that is open with third-term Rep. Dan Benishek's retirement.

Here's a look at the issues voters are deciding. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

View a sample ballot or find other voter information [HERE].

President and Vice President

Donald Trump & Michael Pence (Republican Party)
Hillary Clinton & Tim Kaine (Democratic Party)
Gary Johnson & Bill Weld (Libertarian Party)
Darrell Castle & Scott Bradley (U.S. Taxpayer Party)
Jill Stein & Ajamu Baraka (Green Party)
Emidio Soltysik & Angela Walker (Natural Law Party)

Tri-County Area

Voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties will be asked to approve a proposal authorizing the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan to levy a property tax assessment ($1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value) for 20 years beginning in 2016 and ending in 2035. The money would be used to construct and operate rapid transit bus routes, specialized services for senior citizens and people with disabilities, commuter rail, airport express service and other public transportation purposes.

Wayne County

Voters countywide will choose a prosecuting attorney (Kym Worthy or David Afton). The candidates for sheriff (Benny Napoleon), clerk (Cathy Garrett), treasurer (Eric Sabree) and register of deeds (Bernard Youngblood) are all running unopposed.

Voters countywide will also be asked to approve an enhancement millage proposal ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) for six years, that would provide an estimated additional $80 million in funding for school districts within the boundaries of the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency.

Belleville: Voters asked to approve a bond proposition that would allow the Belleville Area District Library (formed by Belleville, Van Buren Township and Sumpter Township) to borrow up to $14 million for the purpose of constructing a new library building, and renovating and refurnishing an existing library building. The estimated levy would be $.68 per $1,000 of taxable value, for a maximum of 21 years. Voters also asked to increase a millage (by $.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) to provide funds for library operating purposes for 20 years.

Canton Township: Voters asked to approve updates to the township's "merit system" code of ordinances.

Detroit: Voters to decide two proposals to change the way economic development deals are done in the city. Both proposals address issues such as job opportunities, traffic, environmental concerns and other related developments. Proposal A is a community-driven community benefits agreement, while Proposal B is a community benefits plan approved by Detroit's City Council. Proposal A would require community agreements for projects with an investment of $15 million seeking at least $300,000 in tax breaks. Proposal B, on the other hand, would apply to projects with an investment of at least $75 million seeking tax breaks worth at least $1 million. If both proposals pass, whichever has the most votes will be put into law.

Detroit voters will also elect seven members to the Detroit Community School District Board. Sixty-three candidates are on the ballot.

Garden City: Voters asked to approve two amendments to the city charter that set election dates and term-limits for the mayor and council members.

Grosse Ile Township: Voters asked to approve a millage ($.15 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the maintenance of bike paths for 10 years.

Grosse Pointe Park: Voters asked to approve a new millage (not to exceed $2.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) to maintain public safety operations, facilities and equipment for 15 years. Voters will also decide four propositions that make changes to the city charter -- including raising the annual compensation of a municipal judge from the current maximum of $15,000 to $30,000.

Harper Woods: Voters asked to renew a millage ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) to provide funds for library services, equipment and all other library purposes for seven years.

Inkster: Voters asked to adopt a city charter proposed by the Inkster Charter Revision Commission, which was elected on May 3.

River Rouge: Voters in the River Rouge School District asked to increase a millage (not to exceed $5 per $1,000 of taxable value) to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings for 20 years.

Rockwood: Voters asked to increase a millage ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the sole purpose of reconstruction, resurfacing, maintaining and improving city streets for 10 years.

Sumpter Township: Voters asked to approve a bond proposition that would allow the Belleville Area District Library (formed by Belleville, Van Buren Township and Sumpter Township) to borrow up to $14 million for the purpose of constructing a new library building, and renovating and refurnishing an existing library building.  The estimated levy would be $.68 per $1,000 of taxable value for a maximum of 21 years. Voters also asked to increase a millage (by $.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) to provide funds for library operating purposes for 20 years.

Taylor: Voters asked to approve changes to the city charter that defines the elected Office of Treasurer as part-time. Voters in the Taylor School District also asked to approve a proposition that would allow the district to borrow up to $5.9 million for the purpose of acquiring and installing technology equipment and technology infrastructure in school buildings; remodeling, equipping or furnishing school buildings/other facilities and improving sites at athletic fields; and the purchase of school buses. The estimated levy would be $.96 per $1,000 of taxable value over six years.

Van Buren Township: Voters asked to approve a millage ($6.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) to fund public safety services, including police, fire, dispatch, emergency management, and ordinance enforcement for seven years. If approved, this new millage would replace a previously authorized police and fire services millage that expires December 2016. Voters in the Van Buren Public Schools District also asked to increase a millage ($20 per $1,000 of taxable value) to providing funds for operating expenses for eight years.

Voters also asked to approve a bond proposition that would allow the Belleville Area District Library (formed by Belleville, Van Buren Township and Sumpter Township) to borrow up to $14 million for the purpose of constructing a new library building, and renovating and refurnishing an existing library building.  The estimated levy would be $.68 per $1,000 of taxable value for a maximum of 21 years. Voters also asked to increase a millage (by $.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) to provide funds for library operating purposes for 20 years.

Wyandotte: Voters asked to approve six proposals that would amend the city charter.

For more information on Wayne County elections, click here. 

Oakland County

Voters countywide will choose a county executive (L. Brooks Patterson or Vicki Barnett), prosecuting attorney (Mike Goetz, Jessica Cooper or Steve Afton), sheriff (Michael Bouchard or Craig Covey), clerk/register of deeds (Bill Bullard, Jr. or Lisa Brown), treasurer (John McCulloch or Andy Meisner) and water resources commissioner (Robert Buxbaum or Jim Nash).

Beverly Hills: Voters asked to approve a charter amendment that defines the procedure for the purchase and sale of property.

Birmingham: Voters in the Birmingham Public Schools District asked to renew a millage at a reduced rate (from $11.31 to $10.92 per $1,000 of taxable value) for general operating purposes.

Franklin: On top of deciding 10 ballot questions, voters asked to approve a bond proposition that would allow the village to borrow up to $15 million to construct, repair and otherwise improve major and local roads and streets. The estimated levy would be $3.28 per $1,000 of taxable value for a maximum of 15 years.

Hazel Park: Voters asked to approve two charter amendments, one of which would stagger the terms of office for the mayor and council members. Voters in the Hazel Park School District also asked to approve a millage ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings for 10 years.

Lake Orion: Voters asked to approve a millage increase (from $11.66 to $13.10 per $1,000 of taxable value) for police purposes only, beginning in July 2017.

Milford: Voters asked to replace a millage set to expire in 2017 with a new millage ($.13 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the purposes of planning, coordinating, evaluating and providing services to older persons, including the operation and maintenance of the Milford Senior Center for 10 years.

Oakland Township: Voters asked to renew two millages; one for the purpose of providing police services ($1.72 per $1,000 of taxable value) for six years, and the other to construct and maintain a network of trails and paths to schools, parks and neighborhoods ($.17 per $1,000 of taxable value) for 10 years.

Orchard Lake Village: Voters asked to approve three charter amendments, one of which would allow the council to establish committees and another that defines property seizure and forfeiture procedures.

Oxford Township: Voters asked to approve a bond proposition that would allow the township to borrow up to $2 million to construct, equip, furnish, improve and maintain Oxford Township Parks. The estimated levy would be $.27 per $1,000 of taxable value for a maximum of 10 years.

Voters in the Oxford Community Schools District also asked to renew millage ($17.81 per $1,000 of taxable value) for operating purposes, and to approve a new millage ($.19 per $1,000 of taxable value) to provide funds for operating purposes, both for 10 years.

Oxford Village: Voters asked to approve seven proposals that would amend the city charter.

Pontiac: Voters asked to approve a millage increase (up to $1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) to establish centers open exclusively to youths under 21 years of age and aimed at curbing juvenile delinquency.

Romeo: Voters in the Romeo Community School District (Oakland and Macomb counties) asked to approve a millage increase ($18 per $1,000 of taxable value) for operating purposes for five years.

Royal Oak: Voters asked to renew a millage (up to $3.98 per $1,000 of taxable value) to defray costs for police, fire and emergency medical services and maintain core services and staffing levels, for a maximum of five years. Voters in the Royal Oak Schools District also asked to restore millage ($.80 per $1,000 of taxable value) for operating expenses for five years.

Southfield: Voters asked to approve two charter amendments that define who can run for candidate of an elective city office.

Sylvan Lake: Voters asked to approve a charter amendment that defines property seizure and forfeiture procedures.

Wixom: Voters asked to approve a millage ($3.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) to provide funds for municipal operating purposes including police and fire, public works, and parks and recreation for four years.

For more information on Oakland County elections, click here.

Macomb County

Voters countywide will choose a prosecuting attorney (Michael Wrathell or Eric Smith), sheriff (Paul Smith or Anthony Wickersham), clerk/register of deeds (Karen Spranger or Fred Miller), treasurer (Larry Rocca or Derek Miller), and public works commissioner (Candice Miller or Anthony Marrocco).

Eastpointe: Voters asked to renew millage ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) to fund the operation and maintenance of the Eastpointe Memorial Library for five years.

Fraser: Voters asked to approve a proposition ($5 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the purpose of raising money to furnish Department of Public Safety protection, including purchasing and housing equipment.

Memphis: Voters asked to approve two proposals that would amend the city charter.

New Haven: Voters in the New Haven Community Schools District asked to approve a millage increase (up to $1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the construction and repair of school buildings for 10 years.

Richmond: Voters in the Richmond Community Schools District (Macomb and St. Clair counties) asked to renew a millage (up to $18 per $1,000 of taxable value) for operating purposes for 20 years.

Romeo: Voters in the Romeo Community School District (Oakland and Macomb counties) asked to approve a millage increase ($18 per $1,000 of taxable value) for operating purposes for five years.

Sterling Heights: Voters asked to approve a new millage ($.97 per $1,000 of taxable value) to acquire, construct, furnish, equip and operate parks and recreation improvements for 20 years.

Shelby Township: Voters asked to renew a millage ($3.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) for fire protection services, including vehicles, equipment, housing, personnel, and emergency medical and ambulance service for 20 years.

For more information on Macomb County elections, click here.

WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com will have continuing coverage of Election Day. Check back often for updates.