DETROIT (WWJ) -- It's Primary Election Day in Metro Detroit, and the polls are now open in the suburbs and in the city.
The most closely watched race in the region: Voters will cast ballots on Tuesday, Aug. 8, in Detroit's mayoral primary, narrowing down the field of nine candidates to just two who will face off in November. [DETROIT ELECTION RESULTS]
The candidates are: Current City Council President Mary Sheffield, former City Council president and THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins, Rev. Solomon Kinloch, businessman John Barlow, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, attorney Todd Perkins, Joel Haashiim, Danetta Simpson. (Incumbent Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is not running for re-election, as he campaigns for governor).
Speaking to WWJ's Tony Ortiz, Bridge Detroit reporter Malachi Barrett — who has been closely covering the race — said polls show Sheffield has a comfortable lead.
He thinks it'll be Sheffield and Jenkins at the end of the day.
"Probably best money is, you know, two women running in the General Election, which we've never had before in the city. And I think there's a lot of folks who are excited about the potential of that," Barret said.
However, that excitement does not seem to be universal among Detroiters, as the city is expecting a pretty tiny turnout.
It's estimated that only 13-18% of eligible voters will participate. Why is that?
"I think it's a number of factors," Barrett told Ortiz. "I think one of the main themes of this mayoral race is the idea that revitalization — the much ballyhooed growth of the city — has not reached everybody. And so I think there's a lot of people who just feel very isolated from the political process... Maybe these are people who have voted in the past and sworn it off. Maybe they're younger folks that never got involved in the first place.
"But, generally I think there's a sense of like: What have we gotten out of this political system?"
Throughout the rest of Wayne County, voters will head to the polls to vote on several other races. [WAYNE CO. ELECTION RESULTS]
Four candidates are running to become Dearborn Heights' next mayor to succeed incumbent Bill Bazzi, who was President Donald Trump's pick to become the next ambassador to Tunisia.
In Hamtramck, Mayor Amer Ghalib isn't running for reelection because he was nominated by Mr. Trump to be the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait.
Four candidates are running for mayor in Taylor and 16 candidates are looking at the city council.
Livonia, one of Michigan's largest suburbs, has four of its seven city council seats up for grabs. [LIVONIA ELECTION RESULTS]
In Oakland County, there are many proposals to decide on. [OAKLAND CO. ELECTION RESULTS]
In Novi, residents will decide on a bond proposal to redevelop the city's police and fire departments. The 25 year, $120 million bond will support the construction of a new station and two new fire facilities. [NOVI ELECTION RESULTS]
Oakland Township residents will vote on a library millage proposal and renewal.
Northville Public Schools is looking for a millage renewal to continue using the sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings, school security improvements and technology upgrades.
In Pontiac, voters will decide which two mayoral candidates will move on to November. Nine candidates are on the ballot.
In Macomb County:
New Baltimore is the only community that will vote for mayor this time. Current mayor Tom Semaan will face two challengers: City Councilman Ryan Covert and Anchor Bay Board of Education President, Patrick Green.
In Sterling Heights, residents will vote for their city council. Thirteen people are running for the council's six at-large seats.
There's also police and fire proposals for voters to decide on in Clinton Township and Ray Township.
Several communities will vote on the Armada Area Schools bond proposal. They are asking for over $12 million to redevelop their schools. Fitzgerald Public Schools asking for over $42 million for infrastructure, new playgrounds and athletic facilities and technology. [MACOMB CO. ELECTION RESULTS]
The polls close at 8 p.m. We'll have the latest results as they come in on WWJ Newsradio 950. >>LISTEN LIVE!!