Here's when Rhode Islanders will vote on who will replace David Cicilline in Congress.

PROVIDENCE — Gov. Dan McKee announced Wednesday the dates for the primary and special elections to fill the 1st Congressional District seat that U.S. Rep. David Cicilline is relinquishing on June 1 to take a new job with the Rhode Island Foundation.

Primary day will be Tuesday, September 5 and the general election on Tuesday, November 7.

With no declared candidate yet, it remains unclear if the state GOP will have a primary. But state Democrats are facing a potentially crowded election, with more and more Rhode Island politicians declaring their candidacies, or their potential candidacies, from past and current legislators, to mayors and even the current lieutenant governor.

More: With Cicilline stepping down, who might run for RI's 1st Congressional District seat?

“Voting is the hallmark of our democracy, and our goal is to make it as understandable as possible for both candidates and voters to ensure the highest turnout possible,” said Gov. Dan McKee.

The final decision ended the simmering debate over when to hold the primary, with some urging a pre-Labor Day voting, when schools were still out and potential voters on vacation.

“Together with the Secretary of State’s Office and the Board of Elections, my team is committed to ensuring that Rhode Islanders are aware of this special election and engaged in the process. Members of Congress play key roles in ensuring that Rhode Island is represented in Washington, D.C. and we want to ensure Rhode Islanders are participating in selecting their next representative," McKee said Wednesday.

As is dictated by law, the governor will sign the formal Writ of Election when the seat is officially vacant on June 1, 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Date set for election to replace Cicilline in CD1