Live Blog: Incumbents Win Back Spots on City Commission, Millage Passes

11:35 p.m.:

The results are in! The winners are:

City Commission (four open spots)

School Board (two open spots)

Library Board (three open spots)

Birmingham Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 3,586
• No — 620

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 3,678
• No — 223

Charter Amendment II

• Yes — 3,801
• No — 143

10:26 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 4 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Scott Moore — 15 percent
• George Dilgard — 14 percent
• Tom McDaniel — 14 percent
• Gordon Rinschler — 13 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 46 percent
• Robert Lawrence — 32 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• James Suhay — 37 percent
• David Underdown — 25 percent
• Robert Tera — 23 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 88 percent
• No  — 12 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 96 percent
• No —4 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes —97 percent
• No — 3 percent

10:18 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 5 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Tom McDaniel — 17 percent
• Scott Moore — 17 percent
• George Dilgard — 16 percent
• Gordon Rinschler — 14 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 39 percent
• Robert Lawrence — 37 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• James Suhay — 29 percent
• Ruth Ploski — 27 percent
• David Underdown — 23 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 91 percent
• No  — 9 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 97 percent
• No —3 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes —98 percent
• No — 2 percent

10:11 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 3 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Doug Weaver — 16 percent
• Tom McDaniel — 15 percent
• Vicki Walsh — 15 percent
• George Dilgard — 13 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 42 percent
• John Connelly — 30 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• James Suhay — 30 percent
• Ruth Ploski — 24 percent
• Robert Tera — 23 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 89 percent
• No  — 11 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 95 percent
• No —5 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes —96 percent
• No — 4 percent

9:59 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 7 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Tom McDaniel — 16 percent
• Scott Moore — 15 percent
• Vicki Walsh — 14 percent
• George Dilgard — 12 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 40 percent
• John Connelly — 31 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• Ruth Ploski — 28 percent
• James Suhay — 28 percent
• David Underdown — 22 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 89 percent
• No  — 11 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 92 percent
• No —8 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes —94 percent
• No — 6 percent

9:52 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 1 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Scott Moore — 15 percent
• Gordon Rinschler — 15 percent
• George Dilgard — 14 percent
• Tom McDaniel — 14 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 47 percent
• Robert Lawrence — 30 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• James Suhay — 28 percent
• David Underdown — 27 percent
• Robert Tera — 26 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 85 percent
• No  — 15 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 92 percent
• No —8 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes —96 percent
• No — 4 percent

9:48 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 6 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Scott Moore — 18 percent
• Tom McDaniel — 16 percent
• Gordon Rinschler — 12 percent
• Doug Weaver — 12 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 41 percent
• Robert Lawrence — 37 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• Ruth Ploski — 27 percent
• James Suhay — 26 percent
• Robert Tera — 26 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 88 percent
• No  — 12 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 93 percent
• No —7 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes —94 percent
• No — 6 percent

9:18 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 9 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Vicki Walsh — 16 percent
• Doug Weaver — 16 percent
• George Dilgard — 14 percent
• Scott Moore — 13 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 41 percent
• John Connelly — 30 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• Ruth Ploski — 28 percent
• Robert Tera — 26 percent
• David Underdown — 25 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 88 percent
• No  — 12 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 91 percent
• No —9 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes — 98 percent
• No — 2 percent

9:30 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 8 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Vicki Walsh — 17 percent
• Jim Foxley — 14 percent
• Scott Moore — 12 percent
• Doug Weaver — 12 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 40 percent
• John Connelly — 30 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• Ruth Ploski — 29 percent
• James Suhay — 27 percent
• Robert Tera — 23 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 86 percent
• No  — 14 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 95 percent
• No —5 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes — 94 percent
• No — 6 percent

9:18 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 9 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Vicki Walsh — 16 percent
• Doug Weaver — 16 percent
• George Dilgard — 14 percent
• Scott Moore — 13 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 41 percent
• John Connelly — 30 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• Ruth Ploski — 28 percent
• Robert Tera — 26 percent
• David Underdown — 25 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 88 percent
• No  — 12 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 91 percent
• No —9 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes — 98 percent
• No — 2 percent

9:10 p.m.:

Results from Precinct 2 are in at City Hall. The top candidates for each race are:

City Commission (four spots)

• Scott Moore — 17 percent
• Gordon Rinschler — 15 percent
• Tom McDaniel — 14 percent
• George Dilgard — 14 percent

School Board (two spots)

• Chris Conti — 40 percent
• Robert Lawrence — 33 percent

Library Board (three spots)

• James Suhay — 30 percent
• Robert Tera — 25 percent
• David Underdown — 22 percent

Birmingham Public Schools Millage Renewal

• Yes — 92 percent
• No  — 8 percent

Charter Amendment I

• Yes — 94 percent
• No — 6 percent

Charter Amendment II

• Yes — 97 percent
• No — 3 percent

8:45 p.m.:

The is reporting that of the 1,749 absentee ballots sent out, 1,511 ballots were returned. That is an 86 percent return rate.

8:15 p.m.:

And the polls are closed! The has set up police tape around the front desk so that workers on the Receiving Board remain unbothered while they collect and tally the votes from the surrounding nine precincts.

The clerk's office will announce the results of each election at City Hall on Tuesday evening. Those who plan to go to hear the election results in person are asked to enter through the Pierce Street entrance. The complete unofficial election results will also be posted on the city’s website — bhamgov.org/electionresults — as well as on the Oakland County website.

Patch will also be live streaming the results all night.

7:45 p.m.:

The polls are almost closed, and at the Precinct 8 voting site at the , last-minute voters are only slowly trickling in.

Election inspector Lee Feiste said that as of 7:30 p.m., the precinct had only recorded 195 ballots. There were more lulls than there were voters throughout the day, he said, estimating that he saw an average of 15 voters per hour all day.

Outside, a group of about seven residents campaigning for various City Commission candidates — from to — huddled near the entrance to the fire station's rear parking lot.

With the group was Nicole Blank, who originally sought to run for the City Commission but pulled out of the race in September. She said there were a lot of reasons she couldn't run, but she's now supporting Walsh.

Blank's name still appears on the ballot.

6:18 p.m.:

There are a lot of people who are working hard this election — city staff at the City Clerk's Office, poll workers — but some of the most visible were the two dozen or so members of Local 911 chapter of the Birmingham Firefighters Association.

Since 7 this morning, union President Paul Wells said there's been a firefighter at each precinct location, standing with a sign urging people to vote for City Commission candidates Vicki Walsh and Doug Weaver.

And according to Chris Canton, the firefighter stationed at the Precinct 9 polling location at , they've been there all day.

"This election means a lot to us," he said.

What are they upset about? Canton said the Birmingham firefighters union has been working without a new contract for more than a year, and the city keeps asking for concessions. Now, Canton said, firefighters are making a stand against the current commission by urging residents to vote not only for Walsh and Weaver, but for all the challengers.

"As firefighters, we have a certain personal (interest) in the community," he said. "We've always played the good guys when it comes to politics. ... But this is us making a stink."

Canton said that during the day, he's spoken with several voters, many of whom are "tired of the old guard."

"A lot of people have come up and talked me and said, 'We didn't know who we were voting for, but we knew we weren't voting for the incumbents,' " he said.

As for keeping the firefighters fed, Canton said Walsh has been making the rounds of the precincts, bringing the firefighters food.

6 p.m.:

Despite people getting off work, election workers at Precinct 9 at the said voter traffic has been slow all day.

According to elections inspector Bob Stossel, 142 ballots had been cast as of 5:30 p.m. at the precinct.

5:20 p.m.:

The work day is over and the polls are picking up a bit as Election Day 2011 enters its final few hours.

At Precinct 7, housed at , election inspector Paul Barrett reported that 231 voters had cast their vote there as of 5 p.m.

"It's been steady," he said, "increasing in the later part of the afternoon. But we still got a few hours left to go."

Barrett said there are many reasons why he chose to volunteer his time as an election worker this year — he's been working elections off and on, he said, since 2004. But the main reason why lies in the democratic process.

"Part of it is to give back to the community, part of it that I felt compelled to get involved, and part of it is to ensure the integrity of the process," he said.

3:20 p.m.:

How is this Election Day comparing to Birmingham's last major election? According to Deputy Doreen Martin, the city is expecting the same — or a slightly higher — turnout than the last election.

Martin said in the last local election, held in 2009, 18.8 percent of the city's population turned out to vote — an average number, she noted. This year she said the city is expecting a 20 percent-30 percent turnout.

As for absentee ballots, Martin said the city has received 1,485 absentee ballots out of the 1,749 it sent out. That's a 85 percent return rate so far, she said. Birmingham usually sees 90 percent of absentee ballots returned, she said.

2:30 p.m.:

Voters continue to trickle into the polls at a slow but steady rate, election inspectors from Precincts 5 and 6 report Tuesday afternoon.

As of 1:40 p.m., elections inspector Ann Larson reported 185 ballots had been turned in at Precinct 5 at the . Meanwhile, elections inspector Linda Rose said 126 ballots had been turned in at the Precinct 6 polling site, on the second floor of , by 2 p.m.

"This is pretty good for a mid-term election," Larson said. "It was busier in the morning but we've had at least two to three people in here at a times all day."

Rose agreed: "This is good for this kind of election."

Precinct 5 encompasses the neighborhoods south of Maple Road from as far east as Birmingham Boulevard and as far west as Cranbrook Road. Precinct 6 is made up of a segment of downtown — beginning at the corner of Maple and Pierce — stretching down all the way to 14 Mile Road.

1:23 p.m.:

Have you ever wanted to be an elections worker? Elections inspector Katherine Smith from the Precinct 4 voting site at the said the city has had a hard time finding enough people to work the polls on Election Day.

"There are more rules now (to be an elections worker)," she said. "It's harder to get people involved."

The population of typical election workers is getting older every year, Smith said. Working the polls is popular among the retired, she said, but trying to find young people to help is difficult.

Smith, a longtime Birmingham resident, said she's been working on Election Day for the past 15 years. She said Election Day is long — workers can be at their precincts long into the night tallying the votes some years — but worth it.

For this election, around three to four election workers are present at each precinct. However Smith said for big elections, each precinct needs around six workers to check in people, answer any questions about the process and collect completed ballots.

Applications to be an election inspector are available at all precincts as well as the . Applicants are asked to provide:

• Length of residency in the city or school district
• The precinct where they're registered to vote
• Political party affiliation
• Whether or not they've been convicted of a felony or election crime
• Educational background
• Employment background
• Any past experience as an election inspector
• Whether they have their own transportation

12:50 p.m.:

Incumbent candidate for City Commission was spotted at Precinct 4 at the  on Tuesday afternoon around lunchtime, checking on the vote count.

"It's been a pretty low turnout so far," Dilgard said, who mentioned he was visiting all the precincts during his lunch break.

Elections inspector Katherine Smith said that as of 12:15 p.m., 153 voters had been through the precinct, which encompasses the neighborhoods both north and south of Maple Road west of and and the Rouge River corridor, and east of Larchlea and Westwood drives.

Dilgard said at around 12:30 p.m. during the 2007 election, Precinct 4 had seen 158 voters.

Smith said Precinct 4 usually has a high turnout, but it can really depend on what kind of election it is. Smith said "there have been way less people" today than if this was a presidential or congressional election. However, she insisted that local elections are more important to the community than big-ticket ballots, noting they set the tone for communities.

11:40 a.m.:

The polls have been open for nearly five hours and according to City Clerk Laura Broski, Election Day 2011 has been running smoothly.

“Things are pretty quiet … the numbers are slow but steady,” Broski said.

Broski said city staff continues to visit precincts throughout the day to ensure election workers have everything they need.

The polls close at 8 p.m. and those interested in hearing the results first are encouraged to stop by around 8:30 p.m., after the ballots have been delivered and checked by the Receiving Board. A list of the precincts checked by the Receiving Board will be posted at the entrance to the .

Those going to hear the election results in person are asked to enter City Hall through the Pierce Street entrance. The complete unofficial election results will also be posted on the city’s website — www.bhamgov.org/electionresults — as well as the Oakland County website.

11:05 a.m.:

When it comes to , several voters said Tuesday it's time for a change.

"You have young families, new people moving into Birmingham, you need some diversity," said Paul Wells, president of the Birmingham Firefighters Association and informal supporter of the four challengers running for the City Commission: , , and .

Knox and Foxley were campaigning outside Precincts 2 and 3 at Tuesday morning, along with Wells, Doug Weaver supporter Susan Foley and Knox supporter Pam Davis.

Foley, who said she's lived in Birmingham for more than 15 years, agreed.

"You want to have a choice in candidates," Foley said, noting she doesn't like how the four incumbents — , , and — seem to be running together.

In , Rinschler noted "There's a good case to be made in bringing us all back" and the current commission is a good mix of thinkers and experts without political agendas.

10:23 a.m.:

For some voters, you don't need a certain issue to draw you to the polls.

"I never miss a vote," said Bill Hellbuyck at Precincts 2 and 3 at . "I vote for dog catcher. It doesn't matter what it is, but you have to voice your opinion."

9:35 a.m.:

Several voters are turning out to say "yes" to the ' millage renewal as voting picks up at Precincts 2 and 3 at .

"The language of the millage may be a little hard for some people to understand, so I wanted to make sure I came out to vote," said Birmingham parent and resident Beth Bica. "The perception may be that this is a tax increase, when it's not."

would levy up to 7.98 mills to fund the district's general operating expenses. The millage rate would be in effect for the next 10 years and will be levied on non-homestead, or commercial, properties.

All voters with students in Birmingham Public Schools can vote for the millage, even if they're not a Birmingham resident. This includes voters in Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Franklin and a portion of Southfield, Troy, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield.

The district isn't doing any campaigning for the millage Tuesday besides posting signs and sending out a mass email to parents, urging them to vote, Birmingham schools spokeswoman Marcia Wilkinson said.

"Birmingham Public Schools' millage renewal is a very important issue that could have a long-lasting impact on our students' education and our community.  Please take the time to visit the polls today," the email reads.

Birmingham parent Kathleen Erb was also voting yes for the millage, noting that the schools have done a good job promoting the renewal and sharing information.

9:05 a.m.:

Class is still in session Tuesday, even for those whose school is serving as a precinct location, including , the and .

It's been the district's practice to open schools to voters with the exception of major elections, Birmingham schools spokeswoman Marcia Wilkinson said. Next year is a presidential election, so the decision of whether to keep the schools open on Election Day is something the school board will have to decide in the coming year.

Wilkinson said holding the election at schools can be a good thing for students and the community. "It's an opportunity for students to see democracy in action and gives the community the chance to see our schools," she said.

8 a.m.:

Campaigning started early Tuesday. Jim McCulloch, a member of the Birmingham Firefighters Association, was campaigning for City Commission candidates Vicki Walsh and Doug Weaver in the early morning drizzle outside .

"The Birmingham Firefighters Association is supporting Vicki Walsh and Doug Weaver because they're in favor of public safety," McCulloch said, noting the city's firefighters have been working without a new contract for more than a year.

Walsh was also at the Holy Name precinct from 7-8 a.m. This is Walsh's first time running for office though she's campaigned in the past for several of her colleagues as .

"The early votes are really important," Walsh said, noting she will be floating around to the different precincts throughout the day, handing out coffee and food with her family.

Walsh said she appreciates the support of the Birmingham Firefighters Association and everyone who is campaigning for her. "Some of these guys are out here for 13 hours straight," she said.

7:45 a.m.:

Voter traffic was sparse when polls first opened Tuesday, but as the morning progressed, Birmingham residents began filling the parking lot of Precinct 1 at .

Poll worker Marcia Swain has been working elections in Birmingham for the last 16 years. She said the early morning drizzle shouldn't keep voters away; when it's not a presidential election, she said those that want to vote are going to vote anyway.

"It's a fairly small election," she noted.

Swain and fellow election worker Mary Anne Wheeler said they weren't sure how many voters are registered at Precinct 1, which stretches along the west side of Old Woodward and Woodward, all the way to Quarton Road.

7 a.m.:

It's Election Day 2011 and the polls are officially open!

If you're going out to vote today, make sure to bring your umbrella or rain jacket. The National Weather Service is calling for a 30 percent chance of showers today, with overnight rain keeping the ground wet this morning as polls first open.

The rest of the day will be cloudy and then mostly sunny in the afternoon, though, with a high of 63 degrees.

About to head out to the polls yourself? Make sure to keep up with the issues with . And revisit this story as much you like; we'll be updating throughout the day as we visit each precinct and report the winners at the end of the day.

Do you have an Election Day story? Did you notice something interesting or odd when you were voting? Do you have something to say about the candidates or issues? Send your story to Editor Laura Houser at laura.houser@patch.com or give her a call at 248-534-9780.

Don't forget, after you vote, snap a photo of yourself with your "I Voted" sticker and either email or text it to Laura. We'll include it in our album.