Democracy Takes Practice - Don't Forget to Vote!

Today, Tuesday, June 5 is the California state primary. As well as candidates for Congress, Assembly and County Supervisor, local voters will be asked to weigh in on two propositions and a school tax measure.

Do you know where your polling place is? If not, you can quickly look it up here or on smartvoter.com.

Prop. 28 would impose limits on terms for California state politicians to 12 years. Currently legislators can serve 14 years in Sacramento, but some end up serving as much as 17 years because of a loophole that limits the number of years served but not the number of terms.

Prop. 29 would create an additional five cent tax on each cigarette distributed and an equivalent tax on other tobacco products to fund cancer research. If passed, it's estimated to raise $10 million to $20 million each year for research.

, an $89-year parcel tax to help support schools, is also on the ballot locally. An on-going, non-scientific Patch Poll shows modest support for the measure.

Supervisor Shirlee Zane is running for re-election for the against Rohnert Park businessman and former City Councilman Tim Smith. The district includes central Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park.

Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Sonoma are in the newly drawn 5th Congressional District, contested by incumbent . Thompson's opponents, both Republicans, are Randy Loftin and Stewart John Cilley. Click here to read more about these candidates and their platforms.

Patch will be bringing you updates throughout the day and evening as results come in, so make sure you check the site regularly.