Gloucester and Mathews voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in a dual-party primary to select candidates for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives—the first election to be held locally after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the state, nation and world.

Three Republicans—Alissa A. Baldwin, Daniel M. Gade and Thomas A. Speciale II— are on the ballot to seek that party’s nomination for the November election against incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Warner.

Two Democrats—Qasim Rashid and Lavangelene “Vangie” A. Williams—are looking to get on the ballot to unseat Republican Rep. Rob Wittman for the 1st Congressional District seat. Voting in both counties will be from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and all precincts will be open. Both Warner and Wittman are unopposed within their own parties in their reelection bids.

Special precautions

Registrars in both counties have put special precautions in place to protect voters and poll workers alike, including offering curbsi...