LEWISTON, Maine (NEWS CENTER) We should know in late Tuesday night who will be the winners in the Republican and Democratic primary elections. Voting is going on right now and polls remain open until eight. Light does seem to be the word.
This is a primary, so only Republicans and Democrats get to vote for candidates. No one was predicting a big turnout, but several candidates told us today they've been surprised at how few voters actually have gone to the polls.
The race for U.S. Senate is the top of the ballot, of course.
It's the first time Maine has had an open Senate seat since 1996.
Olympia Snowe's decision to retire from the Senate set off a frenzy of activity among those who dream of major office. But even though there are crowded primaries on both sides--- four Democrats, six Republicans-the voters don't seem to be all that excited about the choices. We talked with a few as they finished voting.
The candidates have been touring polling places around the state today, shaking hands with voters, hoping to squeeze out a few more checkmarks in their column.
Republican Scott D'Amboise told me "we've done everything we can do" now its up mto the voters. The winners of the Senate primaries will face independent former Governor Angus King and a little known independent named Andrew Ian Dodge in the fall elections. They are both eagerly waiting to see who they'll be facing.