Polls Are Closed in Royal Oak: Now the Wait

8 p.m.: Polls are closed. The city clerk's office is tallying up votes from the city's precincts, absentee ballots and write-in votes.

5:30 p.m.: Shannon Crepeau has been an election inspector for Precinct 9 since 2004. As of 5:30 p.m. about 330 voters cast ballots at the , she said.

Crepeau set up a small information table to assist voters. "We get a lot of people driving down 11 Mile Road that see the 'vote here' signs and stop in," she said. "So I look them up on my computer and tell them where they can vote."

Other than the occasional misplaced drive-by voter and redistricting changes made this year that have some residents voting in a new precinct, Crepeau said there were few glitches today. Still, there are always one or two angry voters, she said.

"Every year we have someone who is made about something, and I just listen to them vent," she said. "That is my job. Sometimes there is nothing I can do to change the thing that person is angry about. All I can do for them is listen."

3:30 p.m.: "I would describe the turnout as steady," said City Clerk Melanie Halas. "I have been out visiting the polls today and people have been coming and going all day."

In 2008 - the last presidential election year - 11,426 ballots were cast in the August primary, representing a 24 percent voter turnout.

1:00 p.m.: Voters may be greeted by members of the when they vote today. Don't worry. You haven't done anything wrong!

ROPD Officer Steve Teichow was at Royal Oak High School this morning talking to people about the public safety millage in November.

"We're getting a head start," said Telchow, who lives in Royal Oak. "The police department went from 103 sworn officers down to 66. We're at a level where we need the residents' support more than ever."

Teichow said the millage was important to him because not only does he work for the city but he lives here, too.

12:15 p.m.: Your Royal Oak Patch editor was the 162nd voter at just after noon today, and I spoiled my ballot for the first time in my life. I was a little too pen happy. It's good to know that when that happens it is not a big deal. The poll workers did not yell at me or roll their eyes, they just gave me a new ballot and sent me on my way.

10:00 a.m.: At the , election worker Carol Hennessey said more than 100 voters had cast ballots. "It's been very busy," she said. "We've had a good turnout.

9:30 a.m.: Derek Meinecke and wife Mandy stopped to greet campaign suppporters before voting this morning at Also spotted at the high school was Ed Nahhat. Nahhat and Meinecke are both candidate in the 44th District Court race.

"I'm very excited about the election," Meinecke said. "We've been going door to door meeting voters and today is another opportunity to talk to people."

Nahhat said he was feeling calm.

"All the hard work is already done and this is a day to enjoy," Nahhat said. "A lot of people who are voting today are already informed and have already made a decision. Today is about making a good impression."

Nahhat said his supporters will meet at . "We have to call Bob Morton and make sure he has room for us!"

9 a.m.: Did you vote today? Upload your photo to this story!

7 a.m.: , a judge candidate for 44th District Court, and wife Carolyn voted at .

"I was number six," Ginotti said. "I am normally first to vote but I had relatives at my house this morning so I got a late start!"

Ginotti said he will wait for election results this evening with supporters at the in downtown Royal Oak.

44th District Court candidate also got up early to vote at . Monday evening Nahhat said he was still undecided as to where he would be later tonight. "We're deciding whether we should get together at a house or a bar or restaurant," he said.

plans to vote at at around 9:30 a.m. Meinecke will get together with supporters at the Royal Oak Elks Lodge on Fourth Street this evening.

6 a.m.: The polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday – primary Election Day – and Royal Patch will provide updates throughout the day, as well as results on a host of races and ballot issues after the polls close at 8 p.m.

• If you want the scoop on who from Royal Oak is running for office or what kind of ballot language you can expect, check out our
• If you'd like to view a sample ballot, use this handy tool:
• If you would like to read news and opinion pieces about millage requests for the Detroit Institute of Arts or SMART, .

Send news tips to Royal Patch Editor Judy Davids at judy.davids@patch.com.