DANVILLE, Va. – Voters in Danville and Pittsylvania County head to the polls today to choose a governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. But while much of the focus has been on statewide races, voters in both localities will decide whether to increase the sales tax to fund school improvements. In Danville, a 1% hike — to 6.3% –would fund about $194 million in improvements to two high schools and five elementary schools. Pittsylvania County has identified about $66 million in school upgrades.

In the House of Delegates, Republican incumbent Danny Marshall of Danville faces a challenge from Democrat Rhett Deitz for the 14th District seat. Martinsville resident Chance Trevillian is running against Republican incumbent Les Adams in the House of Delegates’ 16th District.

Danville sheriff Mike Mondul faces a challenge from another veteran of law enforcement, Ril Mattison.

Danville Registrar Peggy Petty says about 16% of the city’s 28,416 voters cast their ballots before Saturday’s early voting deadline. 4,529 voted ahead of Election Day. Petty is expecting a turnout of about 40% citywide.

Pittsylvania County voters will also decide three contested races for the board of supervisors. Former supervisor Jessie Barksdale wants his old seat back in the Banister District and is running against incumbent Charles Miller. The Callands-Gretna District has three candidates: Greg Robinson, Ryland Brumfield and Darrell Dalton. In the Dan River District, incumbent Joe Davis faces a challenge from Timothy Chesher.

School board member Raymond Ramsey is running unopposed in the Banister District. Incumbent Calvin Doss and Jacob Hancock are vying for the Callands-Gretna District, with Kelly Merricks challenging incumbent Cassandra Crump in the Dan River District.

The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.