Today Is Election Day In Michigan
DETROIT (WWJ) - It's election day in Michigan.
Polls are open in our state from 7 a.m. til 8 p.m. (Do you know where to vote? Find your polling place and a sample ballot at this link).
Voters in Michigan and across the nation will choose between Democratic incumbent Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney to serve as President of the United States for the next four years.
EPIC/MRA pollster Bernie Porn has consistently shown President Obama with a six point lead in Michigan. "I think that if Governor Romney wins Michigan, he would be winning the presidency without any question. But I think that everyone has viewed Michigan is a likely safe win for President Obama."
Michigan voters are also being asked to consider a slate of six statewide ballot proposals. Porn sees higher 'No' votes than 'Yes' votes on all six proposals, with Proposals 2 and 4 being the most competitive.
"I think that probably the most successful (campaign) message was the idea of voting 'no' on all of the ones that would change the Constitution, and, ... without looking at the value of any proposals that is something that, given the sheer number of proposals, was probably more effective than any other ad," Porn said. (Don't know yet where you stand on the ballot proposals? Get informed, here).
In the U.S. Senate race, Porn's numbers give Democrat Debbie Stabenow up to 56 percent of the vote over GOP challenger Pete Hoekstra.
Congressional candidates will also be elected, with the spotlight on the special election for the 11th District seat vacated by Thaddeus McCotter. Republican Kerry Bentivolio faces Democrat David Curson, with the winner spending the next two months in Congress.
[See election results as they come in here]
Voters across Metro Detroit will decide whether to approve tax issues to fund community services including schools, public safety and road projects.
All across Macomb County voters will decide if they want to pay a little more in taxes to improve technology and refurbish Macomb Community College buildings. Also, voters in Chesterfield, Armada, Macomb, Ray, and Richmond townships will be deciding on tax proposals with the money to be used for police and fire protection.
All throughout Wayne County, voters will decide if they want to pay higher taxes for Wayne County Community College District operations If approved it would raise $21 million next year. Also to be decided are several Wayne County proposals, including one that would allow amend the County's charter to allow the Governor to remove the executive and another that would allow for more external audits of the county's affairs
Detroit voters are faced with six city ballot proposals. The most talked about is Proposal M which would allow those over 21 years old to possess a small amount of marijuana. Supporters say having marijuana shouldn't be a crime. Opponents say it could lead to more drug abuse. Proposal S is a millage renewal for Detroit Public Schools. It would raise $81 million in the first year for the district.
The possible recall of Troy Mayor Janice Daniels tops the list of local votes in Oakland County. Daniels has been targeted for recall by a group who is upset the Mayor called the homosexual lifestyle dangerous and voted against a new transit center.
Some other locals proposals to be decided include a tax increases for police and fire services in Royal Oak, Holly and Wixom. Milford Township is asking voters to approve a tax hike to pay for the construction and maintenance of a skate park.
Find local election results by county at the following links:
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for complete election coverage throughout the day and results in the evening.
