Politics & Government

Need To Know: Voting in Birmingham's Nov. 8 Election

Heading to the polls Tuesday? Here's your voter guide with everything you need to know.

The Nov. 8 election is upon us, and Birmingham is heading to the polls Tuesday to vote for its elected representatives on various boards as well as a millage renewal for Birmingham Public Schools.

So what do you need to know before going to the polls on Tuesday? We'll break it down for you:

The basics

  • The polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Birmingham is divided into nine polling precincts. Make sure you know where to vote by or checking your voter ID card.
  • Remember: state law requires those campaigning stay 100 feet away from poling places. This includes talking about the ballot proposal inside the polling places.
  • Bring an umbrella — there's a 30 percent chance of showers Tuesday, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 63 degrees, according to the National Weather Service
  • Federal and state laws require every city to provide accessible registration and voting locations for voters who are disabled. If you require voting assistance, ask the election workers for help and two inspectors will assist you.
  • Have a political sign in your yard? City ordinance requires they be removed within three days after the election.

The candidates

Birmingham residents will be able to vote for three elected boards during the Nov. 8 election: city commission, school board and the Baldwin Public Library board. Running for each board are:

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Candidates for all positions met in one of three candidate forums hosted by the Oakland County's League of Women Voters this fall. To see what candidates had to say on everything from public safety to schools of choice, check out:

The issues

The city of Birmingham has two charter amendments on the November ballot, including:

  • Changing filing deadlines: The proposed amendment to section four of the Birmingham Charter would change deadlines for filing nominating petitions from the seventh Tuesday to the 12th Tuesday before an election. This makes the City Charter consistent with state law.
  • Changing city election ballots: The proposed amendment to section 12 of the Birmingham Charter would bring the city's election ballots in compliance with state ballot production standards. This change requires that voters darken an oval instead of checking a square to cast their vote for a candidate or issue.

also has a . The proposal would levy up to 7.98 mills to fund the district's general operating expenses, which means residents pay $7.98 per $1,000 in taxable value.

The millage rate would be in effect for the next 10 years and will be levied on non-homestead, or commercial, properties.

For more on the millage:

Everything else

Stay tuned to Patch for continued election coverage throughout the rest of the week. For now, check out:


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