Democratic voters in St. Lawrence County casting ballots in the party’s primary election to determine who will face Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in November.

The primary for District 21 is between Matt Castelli, a former CIA officer who served in both the Obama and Trump administrations, and Matthew Putorti, a lawyer from Whitehall.

Polls are open today from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.

For polling locations and a sample ballot, visit https://stlawco.org/sites/default/files/BoardofElections/(UPDATED)%20St%20Lawrence%20Polling%20Places%20August%20Primary.pdf

Castelli, who is also running on the Moderate Party line, has been heavily endorsed by Democrats, including by 11 of 12 county party committees.

Castelli has also been endorsed by the New York State United Teachers Union, former Congressman Bill Owens and NY-21 Democratic County Committees, among others.

Putorti has not received quite the same degree of endorsements as Castelli and instead is relying on his work as a lawyer, where he has “spent the majority of his career fighting insurance companies who wrongfully deny coverage and has devoted significant pro bono efforts to advancing LGBTQ equality, reducing gun violence, and making the immigration system fair,” according to his campaign website.

In recent months, both Castelli and Putorti have campaigned across the North Country, including stops in St. Lawrence County.

On Castelli’s campaign website, his priorities he seeks to address if elected include reducing costs for working families, expanding healthcare access, investing in economic growth, keeping the nation and our communities safe and protecting American freedoms.

Though Putorti does not have a specific list, he has spoken at length about supporting women’s healthcare rights, LGBTQAI+ rights, an assault weapon ban and addressing the wealth disparity affecting North Country residents.