ADDISON COUNTY — Vermont’s Primary Election is coming up on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Make sure you are registered, and then cast a ballot for the candidates you wish to advance to the Nov. 5 General Election.

You can vote in the Primary for one party only, so you will cast a ballot for Republicans, Democrats or Progressive.

All of Addison County’s incumbent state senators and representatives (except for Rep. Joe Andriano of Orwell) are running for re-election. Challengers have stepped up to make sure there will be competition for the two state Senate seats representing Addison County, Huntington, Rochester and Buel’s Gore as well as in the Addison-4 House district, which comprises Bristol, Lincoln, Starksboro and Monkton.

There will be three candidates for each major party in the state senate and Addison-4 primary ballots, so that means there will be four competitive local races here.

As part of our election coverage, the Addison Independent has published stories on most of the challengers and we give space in the regular paper for updates from incumbents during the Legislative session, as well as for regular Legislative stories.

For the four competitive local races, we asked each candidate the same five questions.

1) PERSONAL BACKGROUND: Tell us something about yourself. (Up to 100 words).

2) THREE ISSUES: What are the three most pressing issues the Legislature will face during the next biennium? (Up to 300 words)

3) PAYING FOR SCHOOLS: How would you solve the state’s education financing problem? Please be specific and please don’t cite “more local control,” as taxpayers already have the power to approve or reject their school spending plans at the ballot box. (Up to 300 words)

4) HOUSING: Vermont is in a housing crisis and many young families can’t afford the few homes that come on the market. How would you promote the development of more affordable housing in the state? (Up to 300 words)

5) CLIMATE: Do you support the Vermont Climate Action Plan? If yes, what are its best features? If not, what are its shortcomings? (Up to 200 words)

Note: Each candidate was asked to write their own perspectives and without ghostwriters. The electorate has a right to know how well they can articulate their thoughts and express them to the public.

On the ballot you will see the following candidates in competitive races. Click on each name to read how they answered our Q&A.

Republican

State Senate: Lesley Bienvenue, Landel Cochran, Steven Heffernan (vote for two)

Addison 4: Lynne Caulfield, Chanin Hill, Renee McGuinness (vote for two)

Democratic

State Senate: Christopher Bray, Caleb Elder, Ruth Hardy (vote for two)

Addison 4: Jeanne Albert, Mari Cordes, Herb Olson (vote for two)

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Polls on Primary Election Day, Aug. 13, open at different times in each town, but they all close at 7 p.m.

To check on the status of your ballot, use Vermont’s online ballot tracking service at mvp.vermont.gov or contact your town clerk.

Here’s a video by Vermont Secretary of State about election security: