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Voting on money for schools, public transportation, police and fire and more on May 4 ballot

Several ballot boxes at an unknown polling location.

Voters are going to the polls Tuesday in some communities in the state.

The May 4 elections are a hodge-podge of local issues. A total of 189 issues will be voted on in 63 counties across the state.

Most of the decisions will be about school millages or bonds.

A few areas are voting on public transportation funding.

Other votes are about money for police, fire, or other public safety issues such as surcharges for 9-1-1 emergency calls systems.

A lot fewer people tend to go to the polls for these elections.

“An election like your May election where you have these local ballot questions and issues like that with your schools or your municipalities, that those may affect your everyday life more than, you know, a big November election,” said Lisa Brown, the Oakland County clerk.

You can register to vote as late as tomorrow at your city or township clerk’s office.

“If you have a state ID, bring it with you, but if you don’t have a state ID, you can still vote. You just need to sign an affidavit,” Brown said.

You can see what’s being voted on in your county here

You can see a sample ballot on your local issues here.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Because fewer voters turn out, there’s no need for as many polling places. You might want to check with your local elections official about where to vote.

Lester Graham reports for The Environment Report. He has reported on public policy, politics, and issues regarding race and gender inequity. He was previously with The Environment Report at Michigan Public from 1998-2010.