Three names will appear on the ballot, but four candidates are vying to fill the seats. Incumbents Mayor Vic Loomis and Councilmember Kevin Beard will face challengers Hans Larsen and write-in candidate Phil Bellfy.

East Lansing City Clerk Nicole Evans said poll workers tested voting equipment Oct. 19 and she expects no problems at any of the city’s 17 precincts. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Anyone going to vote must present a valid picture ID, such as a driver’s license. Those without a photo ID must provide a signed affidavit stating they do not have one in their possession.

Evans said students can call the City Clerk’s Office at (517) 319-6914 or visit the Michigan Voter Information Center’s Web site, www.michigan.gov/vote, to find out if they are registered in East Lansing and at which precinct they should vote.

Voter information and a sample ballot can be found at the city clerk’s section of the city’s Web site, www.cityofeastlansing.com.

As final votes are being counted tonight, the results will be posted at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road, and on the city’s Web site, Evans said.

Evans said all of the counts are unofficial until the County Board of Canvassers meets to certify the election Nov. 17 and administer the oath of office to newly elected council members.

After council members are sworn in, the council will select two people to serve as mayor and mayor pro tem, Evans said.

During the past few years, voter turnout for local elections has been low. Evans said voter turnout during the 2005 election was 15 percent, and that number dropped to 11 percent in 2007.

Turnout at on-campus precincts — which represent mostly students — was zero percent in 2007 and less than 10 percent in 2005, she said.

Evans said she expects citywide turnout to be even lower this year because there are no proposals on the ballot.

“I expect less than a 10 percent turnout, which is approximately 2,800 voters,” Evans wrote in an e-mail.

No-preference freshman Christine Hood said she is registered to vote in East Lansing but doesn’t plan to vote today.

She said although she thinks voting is important, she was not aware of the candidates and issues. Bigger elections, such as the presidential election last year, would make her more apt to vote, she said.

“If I had been old enough to vote last November, then I would’ve voted,” Hood said.

Political science professor Matt Grossmann said turnout usually is low for local elections, partly because voters aren’t aware the election is happening.

“There is evidence that if you just knock on peoples’ doors and remind them who’s on the ballot, they’re more likely to show up,” he said.

Grossmann said people might be aware of issues, but might not be engaged enough to vote.

“They would have to believe that their vote was influential,” he said.