Local elections will take place today (Tuesday), with polls open from 7am to 8pm.

In Grand Traverse County, only two communities have issues on the ballot: The City of Traverse City, which has a commission race and a parks funding ballot proposal, and Grant Township, which will vote on Benzie County Central Schools' nearly $48 million bond proposal. Voters in Benzie, Manistee, and Wexford counties will also vote on the bond proposal, while voters in Leelanau County will weigh in on an early childhood care millage proposal and (in Leelanau Township and Northport) a sewer district proposal. Read more about all of the above issues in The Ticker's election guide here.

An important recent change in Michigan law means residents this year who haven't registed to vote can still do so same-day on Election Day. To register to vote today, go to your local clerk's office (polling stations can't process same-day registration). You will then be able to cast your vote right at the clerk's office, or if you wish, take a receipt and go vote at your own polling station. Residents can find their polling stations and view sample ballots online here.

While voters are asked to bring ID with them for easier processing, the requirement is not legally mandated; if you forget your ID, you can sign an affidavit and still vote. Voters are not required to complete an entire ballot if they only want to vote on certain issues; incomplete ballots are still counted. Voters cannot wear or display any election-related materials within 100 feet of an entrance to a polling station and cannot use photography or recording equipment (including phone cameras) inside polling stations.

Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) is offering free rides on all fixed-route loop buses today to encourage residents to get out and vote. Riders can hop on any of BATA’s City or Village Loop routes for free on Election Day, or call 231-941-2324 for assistance. BATA provided more than 1,300 free rides last year on Election Day.