Plymouth, Plymouth Township and Canton Township voters will decide today, Tuesday, August 4, whether to bring public bus service to their communities for the first time, while also picking party nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and state Legislature. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Here's what's on your ballot.

Wayne County transit millage

The biggest local question: a countywide public transportation millage that would levy up to 0.9831 mills for 10 years, raising an estimated $57.6 million in its first year. For homeowners in Plymouth, Plymouth Township and Canton, this would be a new tax. A home with a taxable value of $100,000 (roughly $200,000 market value) would pay about $8 per month.

All three communities have historically opted out of the SMART bus system. The Michigan Legislature removed the opt-out rule in 2024, meaning if the millage passes countywide, these suburbs will be taxed for transit service regardless.

If approved, SMART would add eight new bus routes, five route extensions and on-demand service over roughly three years, according to the Detroit Regional Chamber. Supporters point to Oakland County, where a similar millage passed in 2022 and ridership jumped 49.5%.

"The exciting part is expansion into new areas, places like Livonia, Canton, Plymouth — places with thousands of jobs, school opportunities, and shopping — where, right now, if you don't drive, you just can't get there," Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United, told the Daily Detroit.

Opposition group Not SMART Wayne argues the timing is wrong. Leader Matthew Wilk told Michigan Public in late July that residents "do not want to be taxed this year" and that the plan needs more work.

Pick one party

Michigan's primary is partisan. Voters must choose either the Democratic or Republican ballot. Splitting between parties invalidates the partisan portion of the ballot, a mistake that affects thousands of ballots each primary, according to Fox 2 Detroit.

Governor

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, making this the first open race since 2018.

Republicans: U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, who has President Trump's endorsement, faces Bloomfield Hills businessman Perry Johnson. Johnson has spent nearly $30 million of his own money, according to Bridge Michigan. Former Attorney General Mike Cox and state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt suspended their campaigns but still appear on the ballot.

Democrats: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson faces Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Benson leads fundraising with a $6.4 million war chest.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township is retiring after two terms.

Democrats: U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham faces former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed of Ann Arbor in what WDET reports is the second most expensive Democratic Senate primary ever, with nearly $70 million spent. Stevens has the backing of Gov. Whitmer, Peters and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. El-Sayed is endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the United Auto Workers. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak suspended her campaign July 5 but her name remains on the ballot.

Cook Political Report rates the general election as a toss-up. Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of White Lake Township is unopposed on the Republican side.

State Senate District 5

This newly drawn, open seat covers Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Canton, and parts of western Wayne County. Democrat Matt Koleszar of Plymouth, the current state representative for the area, is running for the Senate seat rather than seeking reelection to the House, according to Ballotpedia. He faces Republican Estelle Oliansky of Plymouth Township in November.

Wayne County executive

Canton resident Warren Evans, the current Wayne County executive, is seeking a fourth term. He faces Democrat Sigmunt John Szczepkowski Jr. in Tuesday's primary.

How to vote

Same-day registration is available Tuesday at your local clerk's office with proof of residency. Wayne County voters can verify registration, view sample ballots and find polling locations at waynecountymi.gov.