Voters in Connecticut and Vermont will choose congressional and gubernatorial candidates in Tuesday’s primaries, while Alabama voters in four congressional districts will select US House nominees in special primary elections under a new map.
The Alabama contests are taking place in Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7. The new boundaries take effect next January, and the map eliminates one of the state’s two majority-Black districts.
The main gubernatorial contests
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is seeking a third term in the Democratic primary against state Representative Josh Elliott of Hamden. Elliott says Lamont has been too moderate and too close to wealthy interests; his campaign focuses on higher taxes for the wealthiest residents, more public-service investment and affordability. Connecticut has no gubernatorial term limits, and Lamont is eligible to run again. The Democratic nominee will face Republican state Senator Ryan Fazio in November.
Vermont Democrats are choosing between economist Amanda Janoo and former nonprofit executive Aly Richards to challenge Republican Governor Phil Scott. Richards has endorsements from former Democratic governors Howard Dean and Madeleine Kunin. Vermont’s governor, lieutenant governor and other state constitutional officers serve two-year terms; another completed term would make Scott the state’s longest-serving governor.
Related coverage: Trump asks Supreme Court to reinstate mail-in voting restrictions ahead of November elections.
When polls are open
Connecticut polls can open as early as 6am, although opening times vary by county. Polls close no earlier than 8pm, and anyone in line by 8pm can vote.
Vermont polling places open between 5am and 10am Eastern Time, depending on the town, and all close at 7pm. Alabama polls open at 7am Central Time and close at 7pm Central Time.
The Alabama House contests
Both of Alabama’s Democratic members of Congress are seeking re-election in their newly configured districts and are unopposed in their primaries. In District 2, Representative Shomari Figures is seeking a second term, while six Republicans are competing to challenge him in November, including Trump-endorsed state Representative Rhett Marques, Army veteran Joshua McKee and real estate broker Hampton Harris.
District 7 will retain a slight Black majority. Representative Terri Sewell is seeking a ninth term, and Republicans Ammie Akin and David Perry are competing for their party’s nomination to challenge her. The special elections follow a Supreme Court decision in May that cleared the way for Alabama to use a map rejected in 2023 for diluting the power of Black voters; Governor Kay Ivey then announced the special primaries.
Other races drawing attention
Connecticut has thirteen contested Democratic primaries statewide, making the state’s primary season unusually competitive. In Vermont, Republicans Mark Coester and Gerald Malloy are competing for the chance to challenge Democratic Representative Becca Balint for the state’s lone US House seat. Voters will also decide contested Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor and state auditor.
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