While the presidential election between Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and a number of third party and independent candidates has taken up the national spotlight, voters will also have choices to make about several local offices and ballot measures.

When Prince Edward, Buckingham and Cumberland County residents head to their polling sites Tuesday, they will find candidates for the 5th Congressional District seat, as well as two constitutional amendments to consider. Prince Edward voters also will decide how the county’s school board will be selected going forward.

Republican Tom Garrett, a Buckingham native, currently serves as a Virginia state senator for the 22nd District. Jane Dittmar, a Democrat based out of Albemarle County, formerly served as chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and as representative of the Scottsville District. Dittmar and Garrett are vying for Virginia’s 5th District U.S. House of Representatives seat during Tuesday’s election.

If Garrett wins the congressional seat, a special election would be held to fill Garrett’s state senate seat.

There are two proposed amendments to the Constitution of Virginia on Tuesday’s ballot as well. One concerns labor unions and employment, the other a possible taxation exemption for the real property of an officer killed in the line of duty (see accompanying story).

In Prince Edward County, residents will have the opportunity to change the way school board members are chosen. Currently, members are nominated by a citizens committee and then voted on by the county’s board of supervisors. The referendum would switch the process to having board members directly elected by voters.

Tina Aubin, Prince Edward County assistant to the registrar, said absentee voter turnout has been about the same this year as previous presidential elections.

She said there are no polling changes this year.

Buckingham County registrar Margaret Thomas said there is only one local election special to Buckingham.

The District 4 school board seat will have two candidates, Frank M. Knott Jr. and Joii W. Goodman.

Thomas said absentee voter turnout has been very similar to four years ago and expects Tuesday’s voting to be a “brisk turnout, maybe approaching 70 percent.” Thomas said this would be similar to past years.

She said Buckingham County usually has the shortest lines at polling sites in the early afternoon, just after lunch.

The Cumberland County District 4 school board seat is also up for election on Tuesday. However, Cumberland Registrar Marlene Watson said no one is running. It will be an open write-in ticket.

Absentee voting has been heavier in Cumberland this year, Watson said, and she expects voter turnout to be high.

There are no changes to Cumberland County polling sites.

All three registrars emphasized the importance of bringing a photo ID when going to vote. Polls will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Absentee voting in the registrar’s offices will be open for eligible voters until 5 p.m. Saturday.

Visit http://elections.virginia.gov/voter-outreach/where-to-vote.html for more information about polling locations and the upcoming election.

Go to www.farmvilleherald.com for live election results Tuesday night.