[UPDATED] Party Primaries Today

Three party primaries today will decide whose names fill the ballot in November.

For Stratford Democrats, the contest for the 4th District Town Council seat is between incumbent and party-endorsed candidate Jason Santi and primary challenger Michael Singh.

Polls for the Democratic primary will be open today, Sept. 13, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at both Franklin Elementary School (1895 Barnum Ave.) and Stratford Academy: Johnson House (719 Birdseye St.).

For Stratford Republicans, two seats are up for grabs.

After party-endorsed candidate Phil Pepin withdrew from the race, the Republican Town Committee endorsed Craig Budnick for the 7th District Town Council seat. Challenging Budnick in a primary today will be Diane Buda. Polling for that primary will take place at Wilcoxson Elementary School (600 Wilcoxson Ave.) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Buda told the Stratford Star that she is campaigning for the 7th District seat because she disagrees with "the direction the town is going," adding, "We have to have people on the Council with common sense. There can't be strict party line votes any more."

Also on the Republican side, Linda Palermo is challenging 5th District Town Council incumbent and party-endorsed candidate John Dempsey. Voting for that primary will also happen today, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and take place at Nichols Elementary School (396 Nichols Ave.).

to read about how Republicans hope to keep the Town Council majority in the upcoming election. And to read about how Democrats look to "send a message to Mr. Harkins" in the November election.

Will you be voting in today's primaries? Tell us in the comments section below.