The Wampanoag tribal election was under way Sunday with much anticipation about who will be the next to lead the Vineyard’s only federally recognized Native American tribe.

The race between chairman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais and former tribal administrator Tobias Vanderhoop has been heated and more visible than usual, coming at a time when opportunities for casino gambling are opening up for the first time in the history of the commonwealth.

Berta Welch (waving) and her sister Adrianna Ignacio on their way to cast ballots. — Mark Lovewell

The prospect of a tribe-built casino on the Vineyard was thrust into the spotlight again last week with the public release of an opinion from the federal Indian Gaming Commission that the tribe could legally build a bingo hall on land it owns in tiny Aquinnah.

Mrs. Andrews Maltais, 55 and a resident of Edgartown, is running for a third term. Mr. Vanderhoop, 39 and a resident of Aquinnah, is seeking to unseat her.

The election is being held at tribal headquarters in Aquinnah from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Of the estimated 1,300 members of the tribe, about 300 live on the Vineyard. About 900 are eligible to vote, but under tribal rules ballots must be cast in person. A bus was carrying off-Island tribal members from the ferry to tribal council headquarters on Sunday.

There were no early reports available on turnout. Ballots will be counted Sunday afternoon by the tribal chief and medicine man for the Wampnoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).