Months of campaigning, TV ads and social media posts have all led to this: Michigan's primary election is today.

Why it matters: The Democratic U.S. Senate primary between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed is one of the nation's most closely watched races.

• Voters across Michigan will also narrow the field for governor, Congress and local offices.

Your voting checklist:

🗳️ Polls are open 7am-8pm. Anyone in line by 8pm has the right to vote.

📍 Find your polling place: The Michigan Voter Information Center lets you confirm your polling place, registration status and preview your ballot.

🪪 Bring a photo ID if you have one. Voters without ID may still cast a regular ballot after signing an affidavit.

Ballot basics: Michigan's primary ballot includes Democratic and Republican sections. Vote in only one party's section, but don't forget the nonpartisan races and local proposals — those count regardless of which party's primary you choose.

Not registered? Eligible voters may register through 8pm at their local clerk's office with proof of residency. You cannot register online or at your regular polling place on Election Day.

Absentee ballot still sitting on the kitchen table? Skip the mail. Deliver the completed and signed ballot to your local clerk's office or a secure drop box in your city or township by 8pm.

Need a ride? SMART and DDOT will offer free transit rides throughout Election Day.

One last thing: Spend two minutes previewing your choices before heading to the polls. The statewide races may grab the headlines, but don't overlook the judicial races, local offices and proposals farther down the ballot.

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Tomorrow is the second part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge's long-awaited opening — the pedestrian and cycling pathway.

Why it matters: The bridge authority is urging patience, as it expects long lines for the 1.8-mile international path's 8am opening.

• It's garnered a lot of excitement and is expected to become a major tourism destination.

Here's what to know before you go:

⏱️ You're gonna wait: Bridge operators will cap the number of people who can cross at a time to keep things moving smoothly the first few days.

• Those who don't mind postponing their trip could wait until later this summer or fall.
• There may be lines to enter the path and at border processing, but pathway users have processing lanes separate from vehicles.
• Hours run 8am-8pm through Oct. 31, and then 8am-4pm through March 31. Access ends an hour before closing.

🛂 Crossing the border: Bring the documents you'd usually use to cross between Detroit and Windsor: passport, NEXUS card, enhanced driver's license or enhanced Michigan ID.

• It's free!
• Any gear you bring could be subject to usual inspection.

📍 Getting there: Don't expect to park at the port of entry and walk or haul out your bike.

• Detroit: You can park at the Clark Park trailhead, but it's 1.6 miles from the port of entry. Otherwise, find legal parking near the path's entrance at 6366 W. Jefferson Ave., or somewhere along the Detroit Greenways Coalition's cycling route.
• Windsor: Park at the Malden Park trailhead and enter at 4389 Sandwich St.

🚲 On the path: To cross one way, it should take you 20 minutes by bike or 45 minutes on foot, not including processing time. The steepest incline is 5%.

• Cyclists: Don't go too fast and give walkers the right of way. The speed limit is 12mph.
• Motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters are allowed, while skateboards, roller skates, electric scooters, hoverboards and one-wheels are not.
• E-bikes are not allowed for the first few weeks.

Tell a fellow biker/walker

🗣️ Recent city alerts about extreme heat and air quality were in English only, contrary to a year-old ordinance requiring city departments to translate such public service announcements to help immigrant communities. (Free Press)

Two people in Michigan have died in connection with the cyclosporiasis outbreak, state health officials said yesterday, marking the first known deaths linked to the foodborne illness. (Axios)

💡 Michigan Central named Ford CEO Jim Farley's chief of staff, Awenate Cobbina, its new CEO yesterday. (Announcement)

The non-human stars of our lives are on display at Detroit Artists Market in Midtown.

Driving the news: In the art exhibition "Friends: Furry & Fictional," 15 artists explore the relationships between people and animals.

• Sometimes they're our companions, but we always share the natural world with them.

Zoom in: Fiber sculptures by Susan Aaron-Taylor look at species threatened by environmental challenges.

• Bailey Spiegel's work centers on myths, creatures as symbols and the spiritual realm.

If you go: The free show runs through Aug. 15 at 4719 Woodward Ave.

• Hours: 11am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Saturday, 12-4pm: Cat and dog adoption event with Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit at the art gallery.
• Aug. 15, 1-2pm: The Art of Guidance educational event with Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Across the road from the Detroit Zen Center in Hamtramck is a tiny slice of peace.

Zoom in: The Buddhist monastery, founded in 1990 by Zen monk Hwalson Sunim, provides space for the public to study and practice Zen, including meditation, retreats, residences and gardens, according to its website. It hosts regular events.

• The center's nearby peace garden along a residential street appears to be open to the public for a moment of quiet contemplation, surrounded by plant life.