CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - 22News is your local election headquarters, and many people are starting to receive their mail-in ballots for the upcoming November presidential election. 15,000 people in Springfield have already requested their mail-in ballots as of Wednesday. Mail-in ballots have become the most convenient and popular option for voters on the go. 22News reporter Melissa Torres says farewell after 3 years "Since 2020, we've seen a huge increase in the popularity of mail-in ballots and just an interest from people who typically would go to the polls on election day." Anyone can request a ballot by mail, vote in person, or vote early. However, before you vote, you need to make sure you are a registered voter. The deadline to register is October 26th. "We make sure that if you're registered to vote 10 days before the election, you can cast a ballot whether that be by mail or in person," said Gladys Oyola Lopez, Springfield Election Commissioner. If you choose to vote by mail, you must request your ballot by October 29 and postmark it to be returned by November 5. In-person voting is available to anyone who does not want to vote by mail. And if you request a ballot and change your mind or have questions, you can still vote in person. "As long as you don't send the ballot in, you can definitely go in and vote early. We're going to be having early voting from October 19 through November 1." There is no one best way to vote, but all options are secure, verifiable, and transparent. For those with concerns about voting, particularly mail-in ballots, safeguards are in place to ensure that every vote is counted legally and accurately. "When they leave this office, they are secure. The only time we don't know is when they're in transit through the post office, but we have a secure lockbox if they come into the office. We store them in a vault between now and election day, and then we have runners that securely drop them off at the polls on election day," Once your mail-in ballot is signed, secured, and accepted, your local election official will mark your name off the voter list, ensuring you cannot vote again. If your ballot isn't accepted, you will be notified and still can vote in person. Local News Headlines Overnight paving on Elm Street in West Springfield Crews working to put out fire on Route 20 in West Springfield Florida flights impacted by Hurricane Milton at Bradley International Airport Ethel Kennedy, social activist and widow of Robert F Kennedy, dies after stroke WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.