Polls are open in Massachusetts until 8 p.m. for today's Democratic and Republican primaries to pick nominees for the Senate seat formerly held by the late Edward Kennedy.

DEMOCRATS: State Attorney General Martha Coakley, Rep. Michael Capuano, Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca and national service program founder Alan Khazei.

REPUBLICANS: State Sen. Scott Brown and businessman/2000 GOP Senate nominee Jack Robinson II.

Turnout is expected to be extremely light; Secretary of State William Galvin said it could be as low as single digits. Coakley has had a lead in the Democratic primary from the outset but, as they say, the ability to get one's supporters out to the polls will be crucial, especially in a low turnout race. Brown is the odds-on favorite to win the GOP nomination.

The general election is Jan. 19.

Last open Massachusetts Senate seat: 1984, when Paul Tsongas (D) retired.
Last time a woman was elected to the Senate from Mass.: Never.
Last time a House member was elected: 1978, Tsongas.
Last time a Republican was elected: 1972, Ed Brooke.
Last time a first-time candidate was elected: 1962, Ted Kennedy.
Last time a Republican won a Democratic Senate seat: 1946, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

Click here for yesterday's post on the race.

For non-stop coverage today, check out the "Sprint to the Senate" blog of member station WBUR.

Tags: On The Ballot