While the presidential election is a year away, there are notable races for local elections on the ballot in today’s election.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Voters will elect mayors in Schenectady, Saratoga Springs and Troy.

In Schenectady, Mayor Gary McCarthy aims to fend off Republican challenger Matt Nelligan and Working Families Party candidate Edward Varno to secure a fourth term in office.

In Saratoga Springs, Democratic incumbent Mayor Ron Kim is being challenged by Republican John Safford and Christian Mathiesen from the One-Saratoga Group. Also, there is a contentious race for public safety commissioner. Incumbent Democrat Jim Montagnino is facing a challenge from Republican Timothy Coll and Kristen Dart, who is running on the Community First Line.

The race has grown heated in the final moments with Democrats withdrawing their support for Montagnino over a campaign mailer that said Black Lives Matter is a hate group and said a vote for Dart would be a vote for Black Lives Matter.  

Montagnino has crossed lines to endorse Safford. Kim and Montagnino had gotten into a heated argument caught on camera after the mayor felt Montagnino was not doing enough to investigate an emailed threat.

Montagnino said Kim has not done enough to maintain order during City Council meetings.

Troy will have a new mayor as Patrick Madden cannot run again due to term limits. City Council President Carmella Mantello, the Republican, is facing off against Democratic Rensselaer County Legislator Nina Nichols. Whoever is elected will be the first female mayor in the city’s history.

In Massachusetts, the Pittsfield mayoral contest features Peter Marchetti and John Krol.

Other notable races

Other notable races are for Rensselaer County Sheriff between Republican Kyle Bourgault and Democrat Brian Owens.

In Amsterdam, incumbent Democratic Mayor Michael Cinquanti is being challenged by Republican Mike Arbige.

Over in Moreau in Saratoga County, Moreau Supervisor Todd Kusnierz, the Republican is facing a challenge from Democrat Jesse Fish. The controversial biochar waste processing facility proposed for Moreau Industrial Park is a central issue with Kusnierz supporting the project and Fish opposed.

In Warren County, Sheriff Jim LaFarr is facing a challenge from his predecessor, Bud York, who is mounting a write-in campaign. York has criticized LaFarr’s management of the office and a request for a raise.

In Columbia County, two candidates are vying for district attorney. Democrat Christopher Liberati-Conant is facing off against Ryan Carty, who has the Republican and Working Families lines.