Venezuelans are due to vote to choose 23 new state governors and mayors.
This is the first election campaign in 14 years without the presence of President Hugo Chavez.
Mr Chavez, who won another six-year term, is recovering in Cuba from his latest cancer operation.
In the most anticipated race, opposition leader Henrique Capriles is running for re-election as governor of Miranda state against ex Vice-President Elias Jaua.
Mr Capriles was defeated by Mr Chavez in October's presidential election.
He is expected to win the vote in Miranda state, but analysts say a convincing victory would help him strengthen his stand as an alternative to Mr Chavez.
Mr Capriles led a coalition of opposition parties against Mr Chavez in October.
He received 44% of the vote in October's poll to 54% of Mr Chavez, who is due to be sworn in on 10 January for a fourth term in office.
Preferred successorEarlier this month, President Chavez revealed that his cancer, which was first diagnosed in June 2011, had receded.
He underwent cancer surgery in Cuba on Tuesday - his fourth such operation since last year.
If his health fails in the first four years of his term, the Constitution states that a new election needs to be called in 30 days.
Mr Chavez has appointed Vice-President Nicolas Maduro as his preferred successor.
Government officials have urged Venezuelans to go to the polls as a sign of support to President Chavez.
"People should vote Sunday for the president's recovery," said Mr Jaua during the week.
Mr Capriles criticised the government for using the president's illness in the campaign. "The leadership of a single person is not transferrable," he said.
Fifteen of the 23 state governors are in the hands of governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
The vote in Miranda and Zulia state, which is Venezuela's most populous, are seen as key tests to the popularity of the government and the opposition.
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