What you need to know if you plan to go to the polls on Tuesday

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

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

Tonight we get answers on what you need to know if you’re planning to go to the polls tomorrow.

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

Just the beginning of what is expected to be a surge in voter turnout due to the presidential race.

“It’s very crowded every 4 years. Sometimes it’s more than double what we would see in just a regular state election,” explains Holyoke City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary.

That’s why… in late October, she organized a training session for the more than a dozen polling directors. Going over what their responsibilities are before there are issues with the vote on Tuesday.

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

A similar story just south in Springfield, where they too have seen plenty of pre-election action.

But with 64 polling stations in the city, 73 if you include the substations, their preparations are an order of magnitude greater.

Especially considering they only sent out 17,000 mail-in ballots.

“Fortunately, our mayor has allowed us to hire temporary staff during the presidential election, so we have extra hands helping us with filing, processing mail-in ballots,” explains Springfield Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola-Lopez.

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

She says people casting their ballots before Election Day are becoming more popular … in large part because voters now have more options available: an absentee ballot, a mail-in ballot or voting anticipated in person.

“I think this will make some of the work of election workers easier. The other thing is, with early voting, we’ve increased foot traffic. I think we saw more early voters during this presidential election than we saw the year before,” says Oyola-lopez.

That will likely reduce those waiting to vote the old fashioned way in Tuesday’s election.

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

If you have completed a postal ballot, you cannot hand it in at the polls.

You must either drop it in the drop box outside your city or town hall, hand deliver it to the clerk’s office, or postmark it no later than Tuesday, November 5th.

Also, while ID is not required to vote, it’s still a good idea to bring one with you just in case.

“So if a voter comes in and they’re listed as inactive, the election worker who’s checking them in will put them aside and talk to the director. They will check them on the inactive voting list and they will check their identification, the reason we ask for identification is if someone is on the inactive list,” explains Murphy Leary.

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

Finally, if you want to avoid peak voting times and get into an exit as quickly as possible, there are some “sweet spots” that are usually not as busy.

“I would say don’t go at lunchtime. 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’ll pass before I go to work”. And then at 5 o’clock as soon as I get off work. So if you avoid those peak hours, you’re pretty sure you can get in and it won’t take that long,” notes Oyola-Lopez.

Another thing to remember if you plan to vote tomorrow – there are 5 questions on the ballot. So if you need glasses to read… don’t forget to bring them with you.