Rochester and Rochester Hills voters head to the polls today, Tuesday, Aug. 4, facing two local ballot proposals, a toss-up congressional race with homegrown candidates on both sides, and competitive primaries for governor and U.S. Senate. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Here's what Greater Rochester area voters need to know.

Rochester Hills fire millage

The biggest local question: whether to amend the city charter to raise the fire millage cap from 3.0 mills to 3.5 mills. The Rochester Hills Fire Department logged more than 9,200 emergency runs in 2025, a 39% increase over the past decade, according to the city's ballot information page. On 224 occasions last year, zero RHFD units were available to respond to a call.

If approved, the half-mill increase would fund 12 additional firefighter/paramedics staffing an extra ambulance and fire engine around the clock. A homeowner with a $200,000 taxable value would pay $100 more per year. Even with the increase, Rochester Hills would remain the third-lowest millage rate among Oakland County cities with more than 5,000 residents.

Pathway millage renewal

Rochester Hills voters will also decide whether to renew the 0.1715-mill pathway tax for another 10 years at no rate increase. The levy supports more than 100 miles of city-maintained pathways. A home with a $200,000 taxable value would continue paying about $34.30 per year, according to the city's pathway millage page.

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.

U.S. House, 10th District

The race to replace John James in the 10th Congressional District, which includes Rochester and Rochester Hills, is rated a toss-up. Two Rochester Hills residents headline the contest, according to C&G News.

Republicans: Trump-endorsed Michael Bouchard, 32, an Army National Guard captain and son of longtime Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, faces Clinton Township lawyer Justin Kirk and Army veteran Steffan Demetropoulos.

Democrats: Tim Greimel, 52, a Rochester Hills labor and civil rights attorney and former Pontiac mayor, faces lawyer Eric Chung and Christina Bertrand Hines. The Detroit Free Press reports Chung has raised and spent the most money, while Greimel brings the most political experience.

State Senate, District 9

District 9 covers Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy, Utica, and parts of Sterling Heights, Shelby Township and Oakland Township. Three Democrats are competing in the primary: Theresa Brooks, Brendan Johnson and Ren Nushaj. Republican Michael Webber is unopposed, according to Oakland County 115. The seat carries a four-year term.

State House, District 54

Oakland Township residents vote in the 54th District, where Republicans Roman Gaskey of Lake Orion and Jeffrey Omtvedt of Bloomfield Hills face off. Democrat Sarah Pounds of Lake Orion, who chairs YIMBY Oakland County, is unopposed.

Governor

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. Republicans: U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, who has Trump's endorsement, faces Bloomfield Hills businessman Perry Johnson, who has spent nearly $30 million of his own money, according to Bridge Michigan. Democrats: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson faces Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township is retiring. 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. Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of White Lake Township is unopposed on the Republican side.

Oakland County school enhancement millage

All Oakland County voters will decide on a 1.5-mill school enhancement levy for six years, raising an estimated $125.8 million in the first year and distributed at $781 per pupil to all 28 public school districts. A $300,000 home would pay about $225 per year. Oakland County is the only county in Michigan without such a millage, Bridge Michigan reports.

How to vote

Same-day registration is available Tuesday at your local clerk's office with proof of residency. Oakland County voters can verify registration, view sample ballots and find polling locations at elections.oaklandcountymi.gov. Results will be posted there after polls close at 8 p.m.