Election 2012 in Rochester, Rochester Hills

Tuesday is Election Day in America. Here's what you need to know before you go to the polls in Rochester and Rochester Hills.

When to vote

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where to vote

Here's a look at the precincts in Rochester; here are the precincts in Rochester Hills. If you're not sure of your precinct, enter your name into this website and it will tell you where you are registered to vote.

What's on the ballot?

In addition to Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, you'll see state and county candidates on your ballot. Here's a look at the races (with links to learn more about the candidates):

U.S. SENATE

Incumbent U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democat, is running against Republican Pete Hoekstra.

CONGRESS

Because of Congressional redistricting after the 2010 Census, our Congressman, Democrat Gary Peters, will not be able to run again in the 9th District. In fact, Rochester and Rochester Hills are now broken into two Congressional districts.

• District 8: Most of Rochester Hills and all of Rochester is in this district, which stretches all the way west to Ingham County. Republican candidates Mike Rogers (the incumbent) of Brighton will face Democratic candidate Lance Enderle of Lansing.

• District 11: This district covers the southwest corner of Rochester Hills. Republican candidate Kerry Bentivolio of Milford is facing Democratic candidate Syed Taj of Canton.

STATE LEADERSHIP

• District 45: Incumbent Tom McMillin, a Republican of Rochester Hills, will face Democratic challenger Joanna VanRaaphorst of Oakland Township. 

COUNTY LEADERSHIP

• Oakland County Executive: L. Brooks Patterson will seek another term; Kevin Howley of Huntington Woods is the Democratic candidate. Here's a guide to that race on Patch.

• Oakland County Prosecutor: Mike Bishop, the Republican former Senate Majority Leader from Rochester, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jessica Cooper. Here's a guide to that race on Patch.

• Oakland County Clerk: Democrat Lisa Brown of West Bloomfield will challenge Bill Bullard, the Republican incumbent. Here's a guide to that race on Patch.

• Oakland County Treasurer: Republican Marty Knollenberg will challenge Democrat Andy Meisner. Here's a guide to that race on Patch.

• Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner: Republican John McCulloch will seek another term. Democrat Jim Nash will challenge him. Here's a guide to that race on Patch.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Because of redistricting, Rochester and Rochester Hills now fall into two different County Commission districts. 

• District 11: This district covers the western half of Rochester Hills and Troy. Incumbent Robert Gosselin, a Republican from Troy, will face Democrat Louise Schilling of Troy.
• District 15: This district covers all of Rochester and the eastern half of Rochester Hills. Republican Jeff Matis of Rochester, an incumbent, is the only candidate running for this position.

BALLOT QUESTIONS

• There are six statewide ballot proposals. Read more about them here. 
• In Rochester Hills, voters will be asked to redirect $1.4 million from an expiring drain bond millage to invest in local neighborhood roads. The money would pay for the reconstruction, maintenance and repair of local roads in the city. A "yes" vote will mean no change to the city's millage rate. Read more about the question here. 

Rochester Patch will report election results as they come in on Tuesday night. Please follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.