Payam Javan: With early voting increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic, many voters still prefer to participate in-person on Election Day. For those planning to head to the polls, it’s essential to remember that Election Day falls on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Only U.S. citizens 18 and older are eligible to vote in federal elections, and most states require voters to be registered in advance. Some states allow same-day registration or provisional ballots for late registrants. Voters can check registration deadlines, their status, and verify their polling locations with their local elections office to ensure a smooth voting process.

On Election Day, most states require or request some form of identification. Requirements vary, with some states mandating a valid photo ID, while others accept documents like a utility bill or paycheck with the voter’s name and address. It’s crucial for voters to confirm the ID requirements specific to their state. The highly anticipated presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will be a major focus, alongside crucial Senate races in battleground states like Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. With every House seat also up for election, analysts have flagged 20 pivotal races that could determine control of the chamber.

While many results may be announced on election night, a full outcome might take days due to mail-in voting, which has become more common since the pandemic. Each state has different deadlines and processing times for absentee ballots, with some, like Arizona, counting ballots upon receipt and others, like Illinois, allowing ballots to be received up to 14 days post-election if postmarked by Election Day. The U.S. Postal Service advises mailing completed ballots at least a week before the state deadline. Additionally, those suspecting any election fraud can report concerns to their local elections office, the FBI, or the Department of Justice to ensure election integrity.