DANVILLE, Va. – There were no lines and poll workers outnumbered voters at several polling places in Danville Tuesday morning.

Danville Registrar Peggy Petty says there was little activity at any of the local polling places by 8:30 Tuesday morning. Petty said “the precincts are open; the poll workers are at their stations; it’s very quiet.”

Social distancing is being observed,all precinct workers are wearing masks and their stations are covered by plastic barriers. Petty said it is a “safe voting environment.”

Voters are picking the Democratic nominee in this year’s closely watched gubernatorial race. Five candidates are in the running but former Gov. Terry McAuliffe is widely viewed as having a commanding lead.

Attorney General Mark Herring is seeking a third term but faces a formidable challenge from Norfolk Del. Jay Jones.

Six Democrats are hoping for a chance to serve as lieutenant governor, a mostly ceremonial job that pays about $36,000 a year but is often a steppingstone to higher office.

Sam Rasoul, who has represented Roanoke in the House of Delegates since 2014, has a fundraising lead and is seen in some corners as the frontrunner. Most of the Democratic establishment, though, has coalesced around two-term Del. Hala Ayala, who represents Prince William County.

Also running are: northern Virginia attorney and racial justice activist Sean Perryman; Norfolk City Council member Andria McClellan; businessman Xavier Warren; and Del. Mark Levine, who is simultaneously running for his House seat.

The winner will face GOP nominee and former Del. Winsome Sears, who 20 years ago became the first Black Republican woman elected to the Virginia General Assembly.

Sears, who came to the U.S. from Jamaica as a child and served in the Marines, served a single term representing parts of Hampton Roads in the House.