NEWBURY — While the presidential election campaign is generating a lot of excitement among local voters, the next time they're actually asked to cast a ballot appears to be kind of a yawner.

There are state party primaries to be held on Sept. 16 for six offices, but there's nothing on either the Democratic of Republican ballots that could be called a contest.

Democratic Sen. John Kerry has a primary opponent and a general election foe, but neither is running a particularly strong campaign against a heavily favored incumbent.

Democratic Governor's Councilor Mary-Ellen Manning of Salem faces a challenge from Middletown Selectman Timothy Houten, but nobody else on either ballot has a contest at all.

Kerry's re-election bid is being challenged in the Democratic primary by former Gloucester City Councilor and School Committee member Edward J. O'Reilly. In the Nov. 4 general election, Republican Jeffrey K. Beatty of Harwich will be seeking the U.S. Senate seat.

Incumbent Congressman John Tierney, a Salem Democrat, has no opposition in September, but he'll face Republican Richard A. Baker of West Newbury, an inventor and former Pentucket Regional School Committee member, in the final runoff. Tierney is seeking his seventh term representing the Sixth Congressional District.

Democrats have not put up a candidate to run against state Sen. Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican seeking his seventh term.

Republicans returned the favor by foregoing a challenge to Democratic state Rep. Harriett Stanley of West Newbury, who is also seeking a seventh, two-year term.

Republicans also did not run candidates for Governor's Council or Register of Probate. Incumbent Register Pamela Casey O'Brien of Saugus is unopposed on the Democratic ballot.

Absentee ballots are available at the town clerk's office at Town Hall until noon on Sept. 15. Town Hall hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

On primary day, polls at Town Hall on High Road and Byfield Town Hall on Central Street will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.