Tuesday, Nov. 6, is Election Day

After months of watching campaigns unfold, voters will get to go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 6, to cast their ballots in the 2012 general election.

Voters in Union County will be able to help elect a president of the United States.

They also will determine the outcome of several countywide races, as well as a local proposition which could impact how much they pay for electricity.

Local Races

At the local level, voters will pick three county commissioners, a circuit clerk, a state's attorney and a coroner in next Tuesday's election.

The number of those serving as county commissioners is increasing from the current three to five. The move was approved by the county's voters.

The vote for county commissioner features two contested races.

Democrat Wayne Brown and Republican Max Miller are vying for a six-year term on the county board.

The other contested race features Democrat Richard L. Cunningham and Republican Walter L. Jackson. The winner will serve a four-year term as commissioner.

Democrat Danny Hartline is unopposed for the third position on the county board. The term is for six years.

In the election for Union County coroner, Democat Phil Hileman faces Republican Beverly J. Bolanowski.

The elections for two other county posts are not contested.

Democrat Lorraine Moreland is unopposed in a bid for reelection as Union County circuit clerk.

Democrat Tyler R. Edmonds is unopposed in his bid for reelection as Union County state's attorney.

Local Propositions

Two propositions related to electric rates will be on the ballot next Tuesday.

One of the propositions involves a countywide vote. The other will be in the Village of Cobden. The propositions would impact customers of Ameren.

The propositions ask voters to decide whether the county, and the village, shall "have the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity" for their "residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out" of such programs.

Judicial Retention

Voters will be asked to vote either yes or no on the retention of four judges:

•Melissa Ann Chapman as a judge of the Fifth Judicial District Appellate Court.

•Mark H. Clarke, Mark M. Boie and Brad K. Bleyer as judges of the First Judicial Circuit's circuit courts.

National, State, Regional Elections

National and state offices will be on the ballot in Union County next Tuesday. The various races on the ballot follow:

For President and Vice President of the United States

The candidates, by party follow (with the candidate for president listed first):

Democratic Party: Barack Obama, Joe Biden. Obama and Biden are the incumbents.

Republican Party: Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan.

Libertarian Party: Gary Johnson, James P. Gray.

Green Party: Jill Stein, Howie Hawkins.

For Representative in Congress, 12th Congressional District

Democratic Party: William L. Enyart.

Republican Party: Jason Plummer.

Green Party: Paula Bradshaw.

For State Senator, 58th Legislative District

Democratic Party: Michael Bigler.

Republican Party: David Luechtefeld. Luechtefeld is the incumbent.

For State Senator, 59th Legislative District

Democratic Party: Gary F. Forby.

Republican Party: Mark Minor.

Forby is the incumbent.

For Representative in the Illinois General Assembly, 115th District

Republican Party: Mike Bost.

The Democratic Party does not have a candidate in the race. Bost is the incumbent.

For Representative in the Illinois General Assembly, 118th District

Democratic Party: Brandon W. Phelps.

The Republican Party does not have a candidate in the race. Phelps is the incumbent.

For Judge of the Appellate Court, Fifth Judicial Circuit

Democratic Party: Judy Cates.

Republican Party: Stephen McGlynn.

Illinois Constitutional Amendment

Voters will be asked to decide whether or not to support an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Illinois.

The proposed amendment "would require a three-fifths majority vote of each chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, or the governing body of a unit of local government, school district or pension or retirement system, in order to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system."