Voters in Conn., Vt. Head to Polls for Primary Races

Republican and Democratic voters in Connecticut and Vermont are heading to the polls to vote in the states' primaries Tuesday.

Connecticut officials say no major problems are being reported as the state's roughly 1.2 million registered Democrats and Republicans choose their candidates for the November election.

Voting in Tuesday's primary began at 6 a.m. and will run through 8 p.m.

The Secretary of the State's Office says there were minor malfunctions of a paper ballot scanning machine in Hartford and another machine in New Britain. No turnout figures are available yet.

Seven candidates are running for governor including two Democrats and five Republicans. Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is not seeking a third term.

There is also a primary in Connecticut's 5th Congressional District because Democratic U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty is not seeking re-election.

There are also numerous primaries for everything from state treasurer to the state House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Vermonters are voting Tuesday in the primary election that will choose the November candidates for governor, the U.S. Senate and the House.

Incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott is facing a challenge Tuesday from Springfield businessman Keith Stern.

Four Democrats are on the ballot for the party's gubernatorial nomination, including a former utility executive who, if elected would become the nation's first trans gender governor, and a 14-year-old boy who is taking advantage of a quirk in state law that does not require gubernatorial candidates to be registered voters.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is appearing on the Democratic ballot, even though he's already registered to run in November as an independent.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Peter Welch is also facing a primary challenge.

Polls open between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on the town, according to the Vermont Secretary of State's website; all polling places close at 7 p.m.