Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media early voting in Columbia and Greene counties begins on June 18 for registered voters enrolled in the Democratic or Republican primaries. Columbia County Democratic Elections Commissioner Ken Dow said, “For all practical purposes [early voting] is identical to going on Election Day. The voter checks in if they are someone who’s eligible to vote in this election they are given a ballot. It goes right into the voting machine to be scanned. It’s really identical, from the voter’s point of view to going on Election Day, except, of course, the locations. They are either in Hudson or Kinderhook, but it may be more convenient to come on a weekend or on one of the other days.” The primary election will be held on June 28. In Columbia County, Democrats will choosing a candidate for governor and lieutenant governor; on the Republican side, there is a contested primary for governor, but not for lieutenant governor. Republicans also have a primary for the 106th Assembly District seat. Dow said no other parties have primaries. A separate special election will be held on August 23 to choose a candidate to fill the remainder of the two-year term for the 19th Congressional District seat. The candidate chosen will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of now Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. August 23 is also the primary date for congressional and Senate elections. Early voting in Columbia County will take place at two locations — the Columbia County Office Building at 401 State Street in Hudson, and the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building at 3211 Church Street in Valatie. Early voters in Columbia County can cast ballots at either of the two locations, regardless of where they reside in Columbia County. Early voting hours are as follows: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25 and 26; from noon to 8 p.m. on June 20 and 22. Early voting in Greene County will take place in Suite 430 on the fourth floor of the Greene County Office Building, 411 Main St., in Catskill. Early voting hours are as follows: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, and 26; from noon to 8 p.m. on June 20 and 22. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.