THE BIG ONE: The highest-profile race on the ballot Tuesday is the bitter contest between Justice Louis Butler and Burnett County Circuit Judge Michael Gableman for a 10-year seat on the state Supreme Court.

The effects of the race may linger past Tuesday's election. Butler and Gableman both face complaints filed with the state's Judicial Commission as a result of the campaign. Both spent much of the campaign attempting to fend off attacks from third-party groups that spent millions on a race many characterized as the nastiest in state history.

The race could swing the general bent of the court from a 4-3 liberal-leaning majority to a 4-3 conservative-leaning majority.

YEA OR NAY FOR FRANKENSTEIN? Also on the ballot is a constitutional amendment to limit the governor's veto authority. The amendment would bar the governor from stitching together unrelated words and numbers over two or more sentences to create a new sentence. Critics call this the "Frankenstein veto."

RAILS AND JAILS: These are the top issues in the 17 contested Dane County Board races. Though there isn't a referendum on commuter trains this year, the next board will steer that debate, as well as influence the sheriff's plan to expand electronic monitoring of inmates.

Elsewhere in Dane County, suburban school, village and town board members are running for election. One municipal judge seat is up for grabs, along with seats for city council and mayor.

TO MERGE, OR NOT: That is the question for residents in the city and town of Verona. Voters will decide on a referendum whether to consolidate the two municipalities.

SCHOOL REFERENDUMS: Voters will decide 61 referendum questions in 41 of the state's 426 school districts. There were 14 such requests in the primary.

LOW EXPECTATIONS: The state's Government Accountability Board predicted voter turnout would be just 20 percent, based on previous voter turnout in spring elections. That's about the same as last spring, when another high-profile Supreme Court race — between Annette Ziegler and Linda Clifford — was on the ballot.

WEATHER: Tuesday's forecast calls for a chance of light rain or snow in the morning followed by cloudy skies with a high around 38.

POLLING PLACES: Polls are open statewide from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. See Page A6 for a map of polling places in Madison.

WEB EXTRA: Facts about the candidates and issues in local elections. Plus, national political news, blogs and video clips. All at wsjelex.madison.com/elections2008/local.

State Journal staff and the Associated Press contributed to this report.