The race between Arielle Faria and Thomas Moakley for the Vineyard’s state representative seat will be decided Tuesday as Islanders head to the polls for the biennial state primary.
Democrats and Republicans will be able to weigh in on several races starting on Saturday, when all six towns open for early voting for the Sept. 3 primary. Early voting will then be open through August 30.
Arielle Faria, a project manager at Island Housing Trust, said this week that she will run for the state representative seat currently held by state Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who will be running for state senate.
Democrats and Republicans on the Island followed statewide trends in the presidential primaries Tuesday, with the former backing President Joe Biden and the latter picking former President Donald Trump over Nikki Haley.
The race for county commission is now a little less up for grabs following the Sept. 6 state primary that saw six candidates — three incumbents who were on the ballot as well as three write-ins — winning Democratic nominations to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.
On a rainy primary election day, voters were turning out in a steady trickle across the Island to select candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, district attorney and, most energetically, sheriff.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for primary elections for state offices from governor to sheriff.
All voters will see contests for governor and lieutenant governor while Democrats will also determine candidates for attorney general, secretary of the state, auditor, and sheriff. Republicans will also find contests for representative in Congress, state senator, and district attorney on their ballots.
Several high-profile races for statewide office and a battle between two law enforcement veterans for Dukes County sheriff has spurred activity ahead of the Sept. 6 primary election.
