Scotts Valley Patch 2012 Election Guide

Election Day is fast approaching, so here’s what you need to know before you begin to fill out your ballot on Nov. 6.

Aside from choosing between another four years with Democratic incumbent Barack Obama, or electing Republican challenger Mitt Romney as the next new president, California voters have a long list of local representatives and measures to choose from.

Here is all of Scotts Valley Patch's election coverage.

With 11 state measures on a crowded ballot, the propositions with the most attention are Proposition 30 and 38, both proposing increased funding for education through higher taxes.

Click here for information on where your polling place is, and check back with Watsonville Patch on Election Day for all-day coverage and results.

President/Vice President

Barack Obama/Joseph Biden, Democratic

Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan, Republican

Third Party Presidential Candidates

Jill Stein/Cheri Honkala, Green

Jerry White/Phyllis Scherrer (Write-In)

Ross C. "Rocky" Anderson/Luis J. Rodriguez (Write-In)

Roseanne Barr/Cindy Sheehan, Peace and Freedom

Sheila "Samm" Tittle/Matthew Allen Turner (Write-In)

Gary Johnson/James P. Gray, Libertarian

Ron Paul/Andrew Napolitano (Write-In)

Thomas Hoefling/Robert Ornelas, American Independent

Virgil Goode/James Clymer (Write-In)

Stewart Alexander/Alex Mendoza (Write-In)

James Harris/Alyson Kennedy (Write-In)

Stephen Durham/Christina Lopez (Write-In)

United States Senator

Incubment Diane Feinstein, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Elizabeth Emken are vying for the seat.

United States Congress, District 18

Democratic incumbent Anna Eshoo is up against Dave Chapman, a Republican software engineer, to represent the region. 

State Senate, District 17

Bill Monning and Larry Beaman are squaring off.

State Assembly, District 29

Mark Stone, Scotts Valley's current representative on the county Board of Supervisors, and Tom Walsh, a Republican businessman, are vying for the seat.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 5

Eric Hammer and Bruce McPherson are in a heated race.

Scotts Valley Fire Board

Three incumbents—Jane Armstrong, Arthur Smith and Alan L. Smith—and one challegner, Lisa Ann Bustichi, have entered the race. The top three vote-getters will be elected to the board.

Statewide Ballot Measures

California voters will decide on 11 propositions. Check out Patch’s California Proposition Guide: What You Need to Know About the Ballot Initiatives for details on each of the propositions.

Coverage of Ballot Measures

Video: Prop. 36 Changes 'Three Strikes' Law

Blog: Another Pop Quiz on Proposition 38

Video: Should Voters Repeal the Death Penalty?

When you support Proposition 30 you support Cabrillo College

Poll: Is Prop 37 a Smart Recipe for Food Consumers?

Santa Cruz County Measures

Measure N—The County Transient Occupancy Tax Measure would add 1.5 percent to the transient occupancy tax rate. Revenue would fund police, fire, emergency services, health services, parks and recreation, economic development, job creation, and other essential county services.