Ann Arbor voters from Wards 3 and 5 were to begin heading to the polls at 7 a.m. this morning to decide who will represent them on the City Council for the next two years.

With no Republicans on the ballot, today's Democratic primary likely will decide whether 3rd Ward incumbent Leigh Greden and 5th Ward incumbent Mike Anglin stay in office.

"We would encourage all registered voters to get out and exercise their right to vote," said City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry. "The Democratic primary is effectively deciding the council races."

Greden, an attorney and councilman of six years, is up against former Councilman Stephen Kunselman, an energy management liaison for the University of Michigan, and LuAnne Bullington, a retired teacher and information technology professional. Anglin, a councilman of two years and retired businessman, is defending his seat against Scott Rosencrans, a carpenter and environmentalist.

Beaudry says she's expecting a fairly light turnout - less than 10 percent of registered voters - as it's an off-year primary election and there are no ballot proposals.

There are about 92,900 registered voters in Ann Arbor, including 38,000 in Wards 3 and 5.

In August 2007, the last off-year primary in Ann Arbor, about 6.5 percent of registered voters - less than 3,700 - cast ballots to decide races in Wards 1, 3 and 5.

Beaudry is expecting a slightly higher turnout today because nearly 1,000 voters have requested absentee ballots. About 76 percent have been returned. She said that shows there's interest.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. today.

Also up for reelection this year, but not contested in today's primary, are council members Marcia Higgins, D-4th Ward, Stephen Rapundalo, D-2nd Ward, and Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward. At least two of them will face challengers in November.

Mitchell Ozog, a Bonisteel Masonic Library board member, has filed to run as an independent against Briere in the 1st Ward, and Hatim Elhady, a University of Michigan graduate student, has launched an independent candidacy against Higgins in the 4th Ward.

More independent candidates could come. They have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to file petitions to run in the general election.

Anyone with questions about where to vote in today's primary can call the City Clerk's Office at (734) 794-6140.

Election results will be posted tonight at AnnArbor.com and on the Washtenaw County Clerk's Web site and will be aired on CTN Channel 19.

Click below to watch video interviews of 3rd and 5th Ward candidates talking about their campaign platforms with AnnArbor.com.