Matthew Albright

The News Journal

If you are registered to vote in the 10th Senate District, which includes Middletown, Glasgow and southern Newark, your vote Saturday could help determine which party controls the state Senate.

Both Republicans and Democrats have mounted feverish get-out-the-vote efforts fueled with hundreds of thousands of dollars and armies of volunteers. Democrats, in particular, have seen support pour in from progressives nationwide who are itching to fight back against the GOP and President Donald Trump.

But for all the statewide and even national significance of the race, the outcome falls to the 35,673 voters who live in the district.

To find out if you are eligible to vote in the election and find your polling place, visit the Department of Elections web portal at ivote.de.us and click on "Where do I vote on election day?" You will be asked to enter some registration information and then will be told your polling place — the site will tell you if you live in the district or not.

The polls are open from 7 a.m to 8 p.m Saturday.

The choices are between Democrat Stephanie Hansen, Republican John Marino and Libertarian Joseph Lanzendorfer.

To learn more about the candidates, you can read about a debate they had here. You can also read a story about the major issues in the campaign, with the candidates' biographies and stances on the issues, here.

Turnout for special elections in "off years" is generally much lower than in regular elections. That means both parties are scrambling to fire up their voters.

There are 16,165 registered Democrats, 10,113 registered Republicans and 9,395 who are affiliated with neither party. While Democrats have greater numbers, Republican voters are generally seen as more reliable in low-turnout elections.

That is one reason why Democrats have spent more than $750,000, barraging the district with fliers and advertisements on TV and the internet.

Voter participation could be affected by the weather.

The forecast calls for a warm, breezy morning with highs in the upper 60s, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Walker. Rain and thunderstorms could roll into the area in the mid- to late afternoon, borne on a cold front that could drop temperatures into the 30s by evening.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2428 or on Twitter @TNJ_malbright.