May 3 is not just another Tuesday. It's an election day here in Ferndale. Between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., in nine locations across Ferndale, residents will take to the poles to vote for or against a millage increase.

Background of May 3 Election

Get the background on the May 3 election here.

Election Info

When: Tuesday, May 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Ferndale consists of nine precincts and polling location. Not sure where you should go? Click here.

Here are the nine precinct voting locations:

What: Propsal A

Shall the City of Ferndale, County of Oakland, Michigan permitted to increase its authorized millage rate in 2011 for a term of five (5) years ending December 31, 2015, by an additional 5.4552 mills ($5.4552 per $1,000) on each dollar of the taxable value of all real and personal property in the City of Ferndale, which has been reduced by Section 31 of Article IX of the State Constitution of 1963, all of which tax revenues would be disbursed to the City of Ferndale; provided that the City shall not be authorized 0 levy more than three (3) additional mills in 2011. The Charter-authorized millage amount has been reduced by required millage rollbacks in recent years to 14.5448. If approved, the initial three (3) mills authorized for levy would raise approximately $1,681,806 in 2011.

Absentee Ballots:

 Voters may request an absentee ballot for the May 3 election up until 4 p.m. on Monday, May 2. State law requires voters to apply in writing for an absentee ballot.

Applications are available at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/AbsentVoterBallot_105377_7.pdf and at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall. Voters may come to City Hall, fill out an application and receive a ballot at the same time, but remember that state law allows the City Clerk only to give you your own ballot. The City Clerk's office is not allowed to give a voter a ballot for anyone else, not even a family member.

Link to Secretary of State website with detailed information about absentee voting: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633-21037--,00.html

Campaigning rules:

State law requires those campaigning stay 100 feet away from poling places. This includes talking about the ballot proposal inside the polling places is considered campaigning and also not allowed by State law.

Election resources

Download budgets and presentations, as well as links to the campaigns for and against the millage are compiled here.

What Ferndale's Elected Officials Say about the Millage

Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter, Mayor Pro Tem Kate Baker, Councilmen Scott Galloway and Mike Lennon and Oakland County Commissioner Craig Covey chime in on the millage proposal on May 3 here.