What you need to know when you go to the polls on Tuesday

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Election Day is just hours away as millions of people across the country plan to cast their votes in the race for president.

Here in western Mass. Pollsters are also preparing for what is expected to be a busy day.

Tonight we’ll get answers to what you need to know if you plan to go to the polls tomorrow.

In the days leading up to Tuesday’s election, hundreds of mail-in ballots have poured into Holyoke City Hall.

Just the beginning of what is expected to be an increase in turnout as a result of the presidential race.

“Every four years it is very busy. Sometimes it is more than double what we would see in a regular state election,” explained Holyoke City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary.

That is why she held a training session for her more than ten polling stations at the end of October. We discuss what their responsibilities are before problems arise at the ballot box on Tuesday.

“We try to do this before every election, but during presidential years we make sure we do it,” notes Murphy Leary.

A similar story just south of Springfield, where they too have seen a lot of action leading up to the election.

But with 64 polling stations spread across the city, 73 if you include the substations, their preparations are of a much greater order of magnitude.

Especially considering they mailed out 17,000 ballots alone.

“Fortunately, our mayor has allowed us to hire temporary staff during the presidential election so that we have extra hands to assist with the filing and processing of mail-in votes,” explained Springfield Elections Commissioner Gladys Oyola-Lopez.

Oyola-Lopez serves as election commissioner for the Baystate’s third-largest city.

She says people casting their ballots before Election Day are becoming increasingly popular… not least because voters now have several options available: an absentee ballot, a mail-in ballot or early in-person voting.

“I think this will ease some of the work for the poll workers. The other thing is that we got more visitors because of the early voting. I think I have seen more early voters in this presidential election than any year before,” Oyola-lopez said.

That will likely reduce the number of people waiting to vote the old-fashioned way on Election Tuesday.

But if you plan to cast your vote tomorrow, here are a few things to keep in mind.

If you have completed a mail-in ballot, you cannot return it to the polls.

You must place it in the letterbox outside your town or city hall, hand deliver it to the clerk’s office or have it marked by post no later than Tuesday, November 5.

Although ID is not required to vote, it is still a good idea to bring one just in case.

“So if a voter comes in and they’re listed as inactive, the poll worker checking them in will have them step aside and speak to the director. They check them on the inactive voting list and check their identification. The reason we ask for identification is if someone is on the inactive list,” Murphy Leary explained.

An ID doesn’t have to be your driver’s license or even have your photo on it. It could be something as simple as a library card or prescription bottle – as long as it has your name and address on it.

Finally, if you want to avoid peak voting times and get out as quickly as possible, there are some sweet spots that tend not to be as busy.

“I would say don’t go during lunch. Don’t go first thing in the morning when the polls open. There is always a line. Everyone who goes to work says, “Oh, I’m going to stop by before I go to work.” And then at 5 o’clock, as soon as they get off work. So if you avoid peak times, you can be sure you can get in and it won’t take that long,” Oyola-Lopez notes.

Another thing to keep in mind as you vote tomorrow: There are five questions on the ballot. So if you need glasses to read… don’t forget to bring them.