Fairfield voters have chosen Democrat Kevin Kiley for the open Board of Selectmen seat in a special election Tuesday.

The election pit Kiley against Republican Ed Bateson. Both candidates spent the day making phone calls and meeting voters to get people to the polls.

Bateson was appointed to the Board of Selectmen seat in December, per the town charter, after a Republican stepped down.

But Democrats discovered a state statute that allows a special election if 5 percent of registered voters signed a petition, which they did. The election has gone before several courts, with all ruling that it is legal. There is still a long-term appeal that is yet to be taken up.