The three major federal political parties will be watching today’s byelections closely to see how their messages are resonating with voters.

Voters in four ridings are going to the polls today, including Toronto Centre, which was held by former interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae before he stepped down.

The riding is considered a Liberal stronghold, but the NDP has been campaigning fiercely to seize the seat. Chrystia Freeland is hoping to hold onto the seat for the Liberals. She says she’s getting a sense from voters that these byelections will be a referendum on the government of Stephen Harper and the fallout from the Senate spending scandal.

NDP candidate Linda McCuaig says the byelection is a referendum on the policies of both the Conservatives and the Liberals. And Conservative candidate Geoff Pollock says he’s reminding voters of the economic record of his party, including its signing of the landmark free trade agreement with the European Union.

Along with Toronto Centre, voters will choose MPs in a Montreal riding that was held by the Liberals, and two ridings in Manitoba that were Conservative seats. Only one of those seats is considered a safe Tory riding.