TRUCKEE/TAHOE, Calif. — Today is a special Election Day for California, and the big-ticket item for Truckee/Tahoe residents is whether or not to renew the Measure A parcel tax for the schools.

The vote requires two-third majority from registered voters in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District to pass. If it's adopted, it would raise the parcel tax from $98 per year to $135 and generate an estimated $4 million annually, and would be implemented starting with the 2012-13 school year.

A 'yes' vote is one that would maintain the current level of funding —according to officials and published reports, despite the raise in annual taxes, due to inflation, the same amount of jobs and programs would be funded by the $4 million for seven years.

Over the past few months, the measure has gained much positive momentum, in the form of “vote yes” letters and guest columns and endorsements from regional politicians and organizations, including Nevada County Supervisor Ted Owens and the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors. It also has garnered a much-smaller amount of opposition, via a couple letters and nameless online commenters who argue residents should not be subject to tax increases during the current state of economic flux.

TTUSD Superintendent Steve Jennings has said he has confidence that should funding be renewed, the Measure A Citizens Review Committee would do its best to ensure accountability.

Stay tuned to www.sierrasun.com Tuesday night for live election updates as Measure A results roll in.

While the information will come after press time for the Wednesday, March 9 print edition, look for full coverage in the Friday, March 11 edition.

Polling locations Placer County and Nevada County will have polling locations open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. A spokeswoman for Nevada County estimated a rough tally would be completed by around 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on election day. A spokeswoman for Placer County estimated a rough tally would be completed by 11 p.m., while a spokeswoman for El Dorado County said she estimated the majority of its mail-in ballots would be completed by 8:05 p.m. on Election Day. El Dorado County: Mail-in ballots only Placer County: • Alpine Meadows Fire Department #56 270 Alpine Meadows Rd, Alpine Meadows, CA 96146-9802 • North Tahoe Fire Station #54 159 Observation Drive,, Tahoe City, CA 96145 • North Tahoe Event Center 8318 N Lake Boulevard (Hwy 28), Kings Beach, CA 96143 • Rideout Community Center 740 Timberland Lane, Homewood, CA 96141 • North Tahoe Event Center 8318 N Lake Boulevard (Hwy 28), Kings Beach, CA 96143 Nevada County: • Glenshire Swim and Tennis Club 15726 Glenshire Drive, Truckee • Northwoods Clubhouse 11509 Northwoods Boulevard, Truckee • Truckee Donner Public Utility District 11570 Donner Pass Road, Truckee