13 Candidates, 13 Hours: It's Primary Election Day in Rochester Hills

The polls are open until 8 p.m. today in Rochester Hills; the mayor and three city council seats are on the ballot. Rochester Patch will be posting updates here from polling precincts throughout the day.

7 a.m., Precinct 1

Voting day begins at the city's first precinct, which saw a steady stream of voters as the polls opened; seven had come and gone from on Hamlin Road within the first 15 minutes.

Rochester Hills Mayor was one of those early voters.

"It's another election day," said Barnett, who stood alone outside the church, hoping to talk to voters as they came out to cast their votes. He has in today's election.

"This is the day you hope the voters appreciate all of the work we've done over the past four years."

8 a.m., Precincts 7 and 14

The political activists gathered outside on Tuesday morning agreed on one basic thing: the residents need to get out to vote.

"If you come out to vote, you can't complain later," said Steve McGarry, who was camped out at the school along with six others.

The scene outside the school, the site of two polling precincts, was colorful as candidate supporters stood alongside a row of campaign signs, hoping to shake hands with voters before they went inside to cast their vote.

McGarry was there with petitions in hand; he was one of about 30 volunteers scattered at various polling precincts to gather signatures in support of a

Others were there in support of specific candidates.

"It's such a privilege to be able to vote, and it's so easy," said Beth Talbert, who stood outside West Middle School in support of Barnett.

"Some important things — a lot of elections — are decided at primaries," Talbert said. "We take it for granted."

9 a.m., Precincts 18, 25 and 29

At Adams High School, mayoral candidate and District 2 city council candidates and mingled with supporters and waited for voters.

They all agreed the turnout was slow.

"If you're concerned about our future, today's the day to take some action," said Miller.

10 a.m., Precinct 24

Fifteen voters from Precinct 24 have turned out to cast their ballot at the Rochester Hills City Hall as of 10:20 a.m. Tuesday – a number Precinct Chairman Bob Satawa says he wishes were higher.

"Apathy and voter complacency are two big problems," and primary elections are just as important as the "big" election in November, he said.

"About 50 percent are absentee ballots," added Precinct Inspector Joan Mullin.

A quick stop by the Rochester Hills City Clerk's office revealed that 3,761 absentee ballots have already been counted, with "a few more" waiting to be counted today, said Elections Coordinator Melanie Nikel.

11 a.m., Precinct 9

At Rochester High School, the polling place for Precinct 9, 21 residents had voted as of 10:50 a.m.

"I don't think people think it's important to vote in the primary election, but if you don't vote, the people you would vote for in the main election may not be on the ballot," Precinct Delegate Paulette Michel said. Michel, a Barnett supporter, sat outside Rochester High School Tuesday morning waiting to speak with incoming voters.

Precinct Inspector Barb Locricchio has spent the morning inside the school, swiping driver's licenses and inputting voters using the city's new computerized system.

This is the first election that has used the computers to log voters, and "so far, so good," Locricchio said.

"We didn't have to fuss with the stickers," Precinct Inspector Bob Babbish added.

For a guide to the candidates, see . See if you're not sure where to go.