John Ruch
The special primary election for the US Senate seat left open by the death of Edward Kennedy will be held Tues., Dec. 8.
The winners of the primary election will be their party’s nominees on the final ballot on Jan. 19.
The Democratic candidates include: US Rep. Mike Capuano, who represents Jamaica Plain in Congress; state Attorney General Martha Coakley; Alan Khazei, the founder of the City Year volunteer organization; and Stephen Pagliuca, an investment tycoon and co-owner of the Boston Celtics basketball team.
The Republican candidates include state Sen. Scott Brown and Jack E. Robinson III. Robinson was the unsuccessful Republican nominee against Kennedy in the 2000 Senate election.
If you are registered as an independent, or “unenrolled,” voter, you can still vote in the primary election. You can vote on the party ballot of your choice, either Democratic or Republican. Voting in the primary does not turn the voter into a party member.
Voters registered as Democrats or Republicans have to vote on their party’s ballot.
For more information on how and where to vote, contact the Boston Election Department at 635-3767 or www.cityofboston.gov/elections.