John Breckenridge of Oak Bluffs said the commission's planning responsibility is key to maintaining the Island.

Christina Brown, a retired assistant to the Edgartown planning board, has a particular interest in affordable housing on the Vineyard.

Robert M. Doyle from Chilmark, a retired banker and substance abuse counselor, believes in the mission of the MVC.

James Vercruyssse, a cabinetmaker from Aquinnah, said he is looking forward to working on important planning issues.

Tobias Glidden, a fifth generation Nantucketer, is running for Cape and Islands state representative as an independent candidate. But if elected, he said he intends to work with the Democratic party.

Dylan Fernandes defeated four challengers in the September Democratic primary, winning 1,337 votes from the Island. He calls the state representative’s seat his dream job.

Julian Cyr is a native of Truro who has been active in politics since high school.

Tony Schiavi is a longtime Harwich resident, retired from a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved the rank of brigadier general.

Voters were waiting outside early voting locations before they opened in several Island towns Monday morning, as Massachusetts town clerks officially started collecting ballots two weeks before the traditional election day.

Neal Maciel is a third-generation Islander who retired from a 35-year career in law enforcement in 2010.