A number of major political races in could be effectively decided today when primary voters cast their votes in contests for County Commission, School Board and State Legislative offices:

Three Sarasota County School Board elections are held. The nonpartisan races are open to all voters. In District 1, appointed School Board member Bridget Ziegler is challenged by Ken Marsh, the retired long-range planning director for the district, former New York school board member Paul Schafer and former teachers' union president Velton Hodges. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters advance to a November election. In the District 4 race, incumbent Shirley Brown is being challenged by activist and Common Core critic Helen Woolf. In District 5, incumbent Jane Goodwin similarly is challenged by Common Core opponent Randy McLendon.

In the Manatee County School Board races, the management of the district as it changed superintendents seems the greatest issue at play. The open seat for District 2 is contested by My Brother's Keeper founder Rodney Jones and Manatee High teacher Charlie Kennedy. In District 4, incumbent Karen H. Carpenter is challenged by former board member Frank Drunner. The crowded field is in District 5, where incumbent Julie Aranibar is challenged by outgoing Manatee Technical Institute director Mary Cantrell, former Bradenton CIty COuncil member James Golden and Marine veteran Les Nichols. Again, if nobody in the District 5 race wins a majority of votes, the top two candidates advance to a November runoff.

For the Sarasota County Commission, two Republican primaries are on the ballot. In District 2, Sarasota City Commissioners Paul Caragiulo and Shannon Snyder both seek the higher office. The winner advances to the November general election against independent Alexandra Poe and two write-in candidates. In District 4, former Planning Commissioner Alan Maio and Council of Neighborhood Associations president Lourdez Ramirez seek the party nomination. The winner will face Democrat Ray Porter and independent John Minder. Only Republicans can vote in the primary today.

As for the Manatee County Commission, primaries today effectively decide who will hold two seats. In District 4, only Republicans are running, where incumbent Robin DiSabatino faces conservative activist Timothy Norwood. Since the race decides the contest, all voters in the district can vote. In District 2, incumbent Michael Gallen is challenged in the Democratic primary by activist and sheriff's deputy Corie Holmes and Palmetto City Councilman Charles Smith. The winner advances to the general election but only faces a write-in candidate. Only Democrats living in District 2 can vote in today's primary.

The contest for Florida House of Representatives District 74 will also in essence be decided today. The open seat is sought by orthopedic surgeon Julio Gonzalez and former Florida Real Estate Commissioner Richard DeNapoli, both Republicans. Since two write-in candidates await in the November general election, the primary is only open to voters living in the district, which includes most of South Sarasota County south of State Road 72 (Clark Road)

Follow election results tonight at SRQMag.com