Politics & Government

July 31 Election: What You Need to Know

Everything you need to know about Tuesday's election

The much-anticipated July 31, 2012, election is finally here.

Voters will head to the polls to cast a vote in many local and state races including primary elections for seats in the state legislature.

also includes the referendum asking voters whether they support a penny sales tax earmarked for transportation projects across the metro-Atlanta region.

Find out what's happening in Virginia Highland-Druid Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To generate a personalized sample ballot and check on your polling place, go to the My Voter page of the state Board of Elections and enter your name, county and birthday. (This will only work if you are currently registered to vote.)

Here's a look at some local races:

Find out what's happening in Virginia Highland-Druid Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

House District 57

Incumbents Pat Gardner and Rashad Taylor will face off in what is expected to be a heated race for the District 57 seat in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Gardner and Taylor — both Democrats — are forced to run for the same seat after legislators redrew district boundaries statewide last year.

has represented District 57 for nearly 12 years.

currently represents District 55, which includes portions of Northwest and Southwest Atlanta.

run from Morningside to SW Atlanta, including portions of Virginia-Highland, Midtown and neighborhoods east of Downtown Atlanta.

The Virginia-Highland neighborhood is split between District 57 and 58. The dividing line is Virginia Avenue.

House District 58

House Representatives Ralph Long (D-Atlanta) and Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) are set to battle for a seat in Georgia House of Representatives that would represent portions of the city from Morningside to SW Atlanta.

Bell, 43, and Long, 36, are also forced to run for the same seat because of redistricting.

The new district boundaries start in the southern portion of Virginia-Highland, run through Poncey-Highland, Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park, and continue south through many southeast and southwest neighborhoods. A portion of Midtown and Downtown is included in the new boundaries.

, has represented District 58 for three terms.

, currently represents District 61, which includes portions of southwest Atlanta. He has served in the Georgia General Assembly for four years.

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