Robert Gavin is reporting for the Times Union voters in the 3rd Judicial District in upstate New York, including those in Greene and Columbia counties, go to the polls to elect two state Supreme Court justices, November 6. The race pits sitting Supreme Court Justice William McCarthy, a Republican, against two Democrats, Albany County Family Court Judge Margaret Walsh and Albany County Court Judge Peter Lynch. State Supreme Court justices preside over civil matters, such as personal injury claims, divorces, business disputes, election matters as well as criminal cases and, for those judges who sit on the Appellate Division, mid-level court appeals. If elected, McCarthy would continue to serve on the region's Appellate Division, and Walsh and Lynch would be assigned as trial court judges to hear civil and criminal cases. State Supreme Court justices are elected to 14-year terms. Both McCarthy, 43, of Selkirk, and  Lynch, 64, of Loudonville, were graded "highly qualified" by The Appellate Division's Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions. Walsh, 53, of Slingerlands, did not participate in the commissions rating. In addition to Greene and Columbia, the district consists of the counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Ulster, Schoharie and Sullivan. Read the full story in the Times Union.