Tri-town residents went to the polls Tuesday to vote in a special election to nominate Democrat and Republican candidates for the upcoming U.S. Senate election.

The special election featured a three-way contest in the Republican field between former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez, U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan, and state Rep. Daniel Winslow. Sitting congressmen Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey sought a place on the Democratic ballot.

While turn out for special elections is usually light in Rochester, more voters came forward than in the town election earlier in April.

Rochester Town Clerk Naida Parker said a total of 445 residents cast ballots in the town election, a little bit less than the number of those who voted Tuesday night.

“It was a better turn out than I expected, considering this was a primary,” Parker said.

Rochester Republicans cast the most votes for Sullivan at 142, followed by Gomez with 135, and Winslow with 16. Markey took 150 votes in the Democratic race, followed by 144 for Lynch.

In Marion and Mattapoisett, Gomez received the highest number of votes as did Markey.

In Marion, Gomez took 166 votes. Sullivan followed with 111, and Winslow received 38. For the Democratic candidates, 286 ballots were cast in Markey's favor, compared to 145 for Lynch.

In Mattapoisett, just over 19 percent of registered voters came out to the polls, according to Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan. Gomez received 191 votes in the Republican race, followed by Sullivan with 111 votes, and Winslow with 37. For the Democratic Party, Markey garnered 342 votes. Lynch received 211 votes.

The U.S. Senate special election to is scheduled for June 25.