Twin Counties residents are encouraged to exercise their right to vote in Tuesday’s primary election.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., providing voters with plenty of time to find the chance to cast their ballots.

Although the Republican presidential primary race has all but officially been locked up by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama faces no primary opposition, there are plenty of contested state and local races on Tuesday’s ballot.

While fierce debate on a proposed state constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman has garnered the bulk of the media spotlight during the recent campaign, nearly all statewide elected offices feature contested races in both of the major political parties’ primary contests, with the exception of five Democratic and one GOP incumbents.

Four incumbent state lawmakers who represent parts of the area face primary challengers, and three of those races will be decided by primary voters because the winners will run unopposed in the November general election.

The contested Democratic and Republican primary races for the District 4 seat on the Nash County Board of Commissioners has drawn considerable interest among local residents, as each contests pits a supporter of the proposed Sanderson Farms poultry plant against an opponent of it. While it is unclear how or even if a victory by a plant opponent will affect the prospects of the plant eventually locating in Nash County, the race is certain to attract high turnout in the district and serve as a good barometer of public opinion on the matter.

Voter participation is key to the healthy functioning of democracy. Take a few minutes out of your normal routine Tuesday to cast your ballot.