Traverse City Record-Eagle

Election 2011

COMPLETE COVERAGE

Get educated before voting in today's election. The Election Roundup at Record-Eagle.com/election includes links to previous coverage of the candidates and issues, plus a link to view exactly what's on your ballot. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

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  • Polls are open today between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

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November 8, 2011

Today is decision day for area voters

By VANESSA McCRAY vmccray@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — For weeks, campaign literature stuffed your mailbox.

You've driven miles of streets flanked by rows of beseeching yard signs. Today, finally, it's your turn. It's Election Day.

Traverse City residents and others throughout the region visit the polls today to vote on a host of proposals and offices. City voters in particular face a ballot bursting with opponents and a contentious non-discrimination ordinance.

Voters will either welcome back former Mayor Michael Estes or promote longtime city Commissioner Ralph Soffredine when they choose between the two candidates for Traverse City mayor. Voters will narrow a crowded field of seven commission candidates to three winners.

City voters also will decide the fate of a city ordinance that prohibits housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. A "yes" vote keeps the ordinance, while a "no" vote removes it.

Traverse City Area Public Schools has two uncontested board incumbents on the ballot, and the Bay Area Transportation Authority seeks a millage renewal.

Elsewhere in the region, voters will decide recall elections, school races and funding requests.

The average city election draws about 30 percent turnout. Benjamin Marentette, who is working his first election as city clerk after years as deputy clerk, said his office received 1,062 absentee ballots by Monday afternoon.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

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