Voters go to the polls today in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury to decide on new select board members and cast ballots on the question of whether to create a Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank.

Oak Bluffs candidates outside the town library. Polls are open until 7 p.m. — Jeanna Shepard

In Edgartown polls are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the town hall. In West Tisbury polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the public safety building. In Oak Bluffs polls are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the town library.

There are races for select board seats in Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury.

But in Oak Bluffs a three-way race has changed after candidate Jim Bishop announced this week he would withdraw his candidacy. In a Facebook post Tuesday, Mr. Bishop said he would instead endorse Dion Alley, who is challenging longtime incumbent Gail Barmakian.

“I was never interested in the power but the chance to move the town forward into a very trying future,” Mr. Bishop said in a Facebook post Tuesday.

Speaking to the Gazette by phone Wednesday, he said: “We need change and a split vote would not allow that to happen.”

Polls were quiet inside the Oak Bluffs library in the early afternoon.

But the scene was more lively outside, where candidates and advocates stood in the town hall parking lot with chairs and signs encouraging voters.

Surounding streets were lined with campaign signs urging voters to approve the housing bank question and advocating for preferred select board candidates.

Near a car outside town hall, a yellow lab named Dax wore a vest with a sign urging voters to check “yes” on the housing bank question.

Edgartown polls are open until 7 p.m. in the town hall. — Mark Alan Lovewell

Select board candidates Dion Alley and incumbent Gail Barmakian set up shop next to one another a sun broke through the clouds on a mild day. Purple balloons adorned Ms. Barmakian’s car to match the color of her campaign lawn signs. Mr. Alley stood nearby, holding his own campaign sign.

“No matter who wins, it’s good for the town,” he said. “Tomorrow, we move forward together.”

Ms. Barmakian struck a similarly chipper tone.

“It’s a fun day,” she said.

In West Tisbury there is a three-way race to fill the remaining year left on the late Kent Healy’s term on the select board. James Klingensmith, Christopher Lyons and Jessica Miller are all running for the seat. Incumbent select board member Cynthia Mitchell is running unopposed for a three-year term.

There are no contests for elected office in Edgartown. Nevertheless, voters were lined up about 15 deep inside the first floor of town hall by the time the polls opened at 10 a.m. Outside a red, white and blue sign which read “vote here” beckoned voters inside for election day.

But the day started off with a slight hiccup as the voting machine was not working. The back-up machine was installed and the situation only caused about five minutes of delays, according to town clerk Karen Medeiros.  

Housing bank supporters were out campaigning for an affirmative vote on a ballot question after voters in four towns overwhelmingly backed the question on the town meeting floor Tuesday. The approval hinges on approval in the ballot box as well.

Tisbury does not hold its election until late May.

Aidan Pollard and Zach Harris contributed reporting.