Municipal elections will take place on Nov. 4 in Lenawee County’s four cities. (Only four Lenawee County communities — Adrian, Hudson, Morenci, and Tecumseh — are incorporated as cities.) In addition to those four cities, residents of the Madison School District will vote on two millage questions.

Local elections are the most fundamental building block of our democracy, and we hope anyone who has an election on their ballot this year will turn out to vote. 

Adrian’s city election this year is a mix of representative democracy and direct democracy. Representative democracy refers to choosing the people who we will empower to make decisions on our behalf. Direct democracy refers to situations where we actually make those decisions ourselves. City residents will choose three people to serve on the Adrian City Commission for the next four years, but will also vote directly on two topics: whether to repeal the city’s point-of-sale inspection ordinance for residential real estate sales, and whether to renew Citizens Gas Fuel Co.’s franchise to provide natural gas in the city.

We encourage all residents of Adrian, Hudson, Morenci, Tecumseh, and the Madison School District to study the candidates and issues — and to turn out on Nov. 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you can look up your polling place, as well as view a sample ballot, by going to michigan.gov/vote.

Voting is one of our most important civic obligations. This month, make your voice heard!