Today’s primary will decide the next Ward 7 councilman while determining which four of the six candidates for School Committee will appear on the November ballot as well as the Democratic nominees in Wards 1 and 2, Representative House Districts 21 and 22 and Senate District 30.

The city’s 33 polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. As the race for the two at-large seats on the School Committee are non-partisan, unaffiliated voters will be able to cast ballots without declaring a party affiliation. Declared Republicans can also vote for school committee although there are no local Republican primaries on the ballot. Unaffiliated voters looking to also cast a ballot for any of the Democrats running in their district, ward or for the Second Congressional District where incumbent James Langevin faces challenges from Steve Archer and John Hamilton, can declare as a Democrat at the polls. Forms are provided so they can disaffiliate after voting.

School Committee candidates are incumbent Karen Bachus and David Testa, Nathan Cornell, Dean Johnson, Chadd Huddon and Daniel Hall.

In Ward 7, where incumbent Kathleen Usler has chosen not to seek reelection, Charles “CJ” Donovan Jr. is looking to make a comeback. Also running are Stephen McAllister, Robert Germani and Jack Kirby. This is Kirby’s first bid for City Council. He has run for mayor on several occasions.

In Ward 1 where Republican incumbent Steve Colantuono is not seeking reelection, Democrats Tanios Bouramia, Richard Corley and Patrick Maloney are vying for the party’s nomination. The winner will face Republican Richard Cascella in the General Election.

In the Ward 2 contest Sean Rainey, Jeremy Rix and James Donelan are vying to succeed Thomas Chadronet, who has chosen not to seek another term. The winner will face Republican John Silvaggio in November.

In House Representative District 21, incumbent Eileen Naughton is in a three-way contest with Camille Vella-Wilkinson, the Ward 3 councilwoman who has chosen not to seek reelection to the council, and David Kruzona. The winner will face Republican Mike Penta and independents Michael Underwood and Andrew Knutton.

In House Representative District 22, Jennifer Siciliano is challenging incumbent freshman legislator Joseph Solomon Jr. for the nomination. The winner will face independent Elizabeth Smith in the election.

Incumbent Senator William Walaska, Dist. 30, faces a challenge from Jeannie Calkin for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican Joseph Bannister in November.