AUGUSTA — Voters across central Maine head to the polls Tuesday to cast votes on local issues, candidates and school budgets.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on.

School budgets

Across central Maine, school budgets are headed to voters for final approval at the school budget validation vote.

By now, school districts have held their annual meetings where voters have the opportunity to try to make changes to district spending plans that have been proposed by district administrators and endorsed by school boards.

Voters in the Gardiner-area school district approved the proposed $32.9 million spending plan, and voters in the Readfield-based school district approved a $23.6 million spending plan.

Some communities, like Augusta, where the city council has approved the city and school budgets; Winthrop and Waterville, have standalone school departments, and those school budgets are approved as part of the municipal budget process.

Regardless of the first step of the process, municipality residents will vote by secret ballot to confirm the school budget in the June referendum.

Board of selectmen and school board races

Richmond, Dresden, Skowhegan, Embden and Madison are among the communities that have contested town and school board races.

For Richmond’s Board of Selectmen, Zachary Kindelan and Matthew Roberge are running for a three-year term to replace Marilynn Grizkewitsch. For the Richmond School Committee, John Pratte and Liana Knight are running for reelection of a three-year term against Betsey Noble.

In Dresden, Keith Allen is challenging Board of Selectmen incumbent Donald Gleason.

Embden’s race features Kayla Starr and Keith Stephens running for one seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Four people are running for two spots on the Skowhegan Board of Selectmen: Esther Franklin, Ethan Liberty, Kevin Nelson and Paul York.

In Maine School Administrative District 54 school board, which encompasses the Skowhegan area, five people are running for three spots: Samantha Delorie, Michael Lambke, Julie Smith, Sara Smith and Timothy Williams.

While many towns like Pittston, West Gardiner and Cornville have open town meetings, others like Monmouth have opted to hold them by secret ballot.

Special ballot questions

Embden has a special town meeting ballot to elect a select board member, and to see whether voters want to consider withdrawing from Regional School Unit 74.

The question that appears on the ballot is: “Do you favor filing a petition for withdrawal with the board of directors of regional school unit RSU#74 and with the Commissioner of Education, authorizing the withdrawal committee to expend $50,000 and authorizing the Select Board to issue notes in the name of the Town of Embden or otherwise pledge the credit of the Town of Embden not to exceed $50,000 for this purpose.”

Many voters have had the chance to vote early through an absentee ballot. But for those who want to vote Tuesday, the polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.