East Bay voters go to the polls today for a special election where they will select a new member of Congress and make their wishes known on development in downtown Walnut Creek along with a host of school and other measures.

Slightly more than half of Contra Costa and Alameda county voters live in cities or other political districts with an election, including those in the vacant 10th Congressional District, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Voters in Newark, Emeryville and Albany will also head to the polls.

Five candidates are competing in a runoff to replace former Rep. Ellen Tauscher, a Democrat, in the 10th Congressional District. Two-thirds of the heavily Democratic district is in Contra Costa, with smaller segments in Alameda, Solano and Sacramento counties.

Democrat and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, of Walnut Grove, faces Republican attorney David Harmer, of Dougherty Valley, as the major party names on the ballot, which has three minor party candidates: Jeremy Cloward, Green Party; Mary McIlroy, Peace and Freedom Party; and Jerry Denham, American Independent Party.

Walnut Creek voters will decide the fate of Measure I, a contentious initiative that would grant Broadway Plaza owner Macerich Co. permission to build a new store downtown intended for Neiman Marcus.

Residents of the Acalanes and Walnut Creek school districts will also decide whether to extend indefinitely existing parcel taxes that will help close the state

San Ramon voters will choose two council members from a field of four. Its mayor, Abram Wilson, is unopposed.

Reach Lisa Vorderbrueggen at 925-945-4773 or www.ibabuzz.com/politics.