Essex County voters will go to the polls today for the general election to choose a state legislature and to elect the members of the Chosen Board of Freeholders and county surrogate.

Two of the most exciting races to watch will be the results of the 27th Legislative District Assembly and Senate contests. The 27th was formerly a Democratic stronghold but was redistricted to include several traditionally Republican Morris County communities, including Harding, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Madison, Florham Park and Hanover. For the Senate, Democratic incumbent Richard J. Codey is facing a challenge from Tea Party candidate William H. Eames. For Assembly, Democratic incumbents Mila M. Jasey and John McKeon go up against Republican opponents Nicole Hagner and Lee Holtzman.

The Essex County communities of Livingston, Millburn, West Orange, South Orange, Caldwell, Maplewood, Roseland and Essex Fells are all in the 27th District.

In the race for freeholder, there are two hotly-contested match-ups. One is the race for District 4, where Democrat Len Luciano of West Caldwell is squaring off against Republican Joseph Chiusolo of Cedar Grove. District 4 encompasses 11 Essex County communities, including: Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange.

The other exciting freeholder race is for the District 5 seat being vacated by longtime representative Ralph Caputo. Democrat Brendan Gill of Montclair is vying for the seat against Steve Rogers, of Nutley. The district encompasses the towns of Montclair, Nutley, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge and Belleville.

In addition, a slate of Republican candidates will try to wrest some seats away from the Democratic incumbents on the Essex County Board of Freeholders.

Since longtime surrogate Joseph Brennan decided not to seek re-election, there are two new candidates seeking the office. They are Republican Annette Scoca-Del Mauro and Democrat Theodore "Ted" Stevens II.

Besides the county-wide races, there are also several municipal contests taking place.

Maplewood, Millburn, Bloomfield, South Orange, Caldwell, West Caldwell and North Caldwell are among the towns that either have municipal council races taking place or voters are asked to decide on local ballot questions.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. To find your polling place, check the Essex County Clerk's website. Or go here.

If no match is found, please contact the Montclair Municipal Clerk's Office for your polling place location at (973) 509-4900.