Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today -- Tuesday, March 6 -- for the presidential primary election.

The candidates on the ballot for the presidential primaries are as follows:

The candidates for the Republican nomination are: Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Jon Hunstman, Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich. Voters are also able to select No Preference.

The candidates for the Democratic nomination is Barack Obama. Voters are also able to select No Preference.

The candidates for Green-Rainbow nomination are: Kent Mesplay, Jill Stein, Harley Mikkelson. Voters are also able to select No Preference.

The candidate running for re-election for the Republican State Committee Man is William L. Nickerson who is running for re-election.

The candidates running for re-election for the Democratic State Committee Man and State Committee Woman are Marc R. Pacheco and Mary Wasylyk, respectively.

There are also 24 candidates for Democratic Town Committee.

Voters in precinct 1 cast votes at Town Hall. Precinct 2 voters now vote at the Ethel E. Hammond School, while precinct 3 votes at Minot Forest Elementary. Precincts 4 and 5 cast votes at the John W. Decas Elementary School, while precinct 6 votes at the Elks Lodge.

Voters can get applications for absentee ballots for the election at the Town Clerk's office.

Voters may apply for an absentee ballot until noon on Monday, March 5. Family members can file an application on behalf of a loved one, but the ballot may not be hand-delivered to the voter. It must be mailed to the voter's legal address or post office box.

Voters are eligible for an absentee ballot if unable to appear at the polls due to out-of-town vacations, out-of-town work or college obligations, or due to physical disabilities.

Voters receiving ballots via postal mail can choose anyone to return the ballot to the Town Clerk's office. Ballots may also be returned by mail. The ballot must be submitted before the close of the polls at 8 p.m. on March 6 to ensure it is delivered to the appropriate precinct in time to be counted.

Voters permitted to vote in the presidential primary are registered Republicans, Democrats, or Green-Rainbow voters.

Unenrolled voters (formerly called "independent") may vote in the primary by declaring one of the aforementioned parties and voting in that particular ballot at the polls. (Such voters will remain unenrolled following the primary.)

For more information, call the Town Clerk's office at 508-291-3140. The Clerk's office is located in Town Hall at 54 Marion Road.