Today's state primary will include a three-way race for the District 3 Governor's Council seat.
Incumbent Governor's Councilor Marilyn Devaney is being challenged by Waltham resident John "Jack" Doyle and Watertown Fire Lt. Thomas Walsh. Devaney, who is also a Watertown councilor, has held the Third District seat since 1998.
Polls will be open in the city from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Governor's Council acts on issues such as payments from the state treasury, criminal pardons and commutations, and approval of gubernatorial appointments such as judges, notaries and justices of the peace.
Also on today's ballot, U.S. Sen. John Kerry will face a primary challenge from Gloucester attorney Ed O'Reilly. It's the first time Kerry has faced competition in the primary since 1984, when he first won the Senate seat.
Waltham City Clerk Russ Malone said he expects about 10 to 12 percent of the city's 32,000 voters to turn out today. Most voters, Malone said, are already focused on the November general election.
"Some people get so entrenched thinking about November that they don't think about September," Malone said.
Malone said there are write-in candidates who have planned sticker campaigns to challenge for the position of Middlesex register of probate.
According to recent reports, the candidates who have announced write-in campaigns for the probate position include former Newton Mayor Tom Concannon, Somerville Alderman Sean O'Donovan, Arlington resident Paula Mattaliano, Newton Police Officer John Panica, Billerica attorney John Aliperta and Natick Republican John Lambert.
While John Buonomo resigned from the post last week, his name will remain on the primary ballot. Voters can either write their candidate's name in or place a sticker underneath Buonomo's name on the ballot.
A challenger must receive at least 1,000 votes and win the most votes in their party to be included on the ballot in November.
Buonomo, a 56-year-old Democrat from Newton, is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from copy and money machines at the Cambridge office building where he works.
For election information, call the city clerk's office at 781-314-3120.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
