BOSTON (WWLP) - Voting is a great American privilege, and it’s important to plan to make the most out of your election day.  Anyone who plans to vote on Election Day can find their polling place on the secretary of state’s website. All polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. but before you do, check to make sure you are registered to vote. Who is on the Massachusetts ballot? ☆ Where is my polling place?☆ See my sample ballot »☆ Mail ballot information » ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ What do I need? Once you are sure you are registered and you’ve located your polling place, you will need to gather your identification. In Massachusetts, voters are not required to show photo ID, but that may be requested if: Someone is voting for the first time Someone has been deemed an inactive voter Someone is casting a provisional or challenged ballot The poll worker has reasonable suspicion to make that request The most common form of ID to use is your Massachusetts driver's license, but other forms of ID can work as well. Options include: Driver's license State ID card Recent utility bill Rent receipt or lease. Copy of a voter registration affidavit Letter from a school dormitory or housing office Any other printed identification which contains your name and address ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Key Dates August 24Voter registration deadline for primary☆ Register to vote online »☆ Register to vote by mail »August 26Mail ballot application deadline for primary☆ Request a mail ballot online »☆ Download mail ballot application »Aug. 24 – Aug. 30Early voting for primary☆ Find your polling place »September 3Statewide primary☆ Find your polling place »October 26Voter registration deadline☆ Register to vote online »☆ Register to vote by mail »October 29Mail ballot application deadline☆ Request a mail ballot online »☆ Download mail ballot application »Oct. 19 – Nov. 1Early voting period☆ Find your polling place »November 5Election Day☆ Find your polling place » ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Who’s running? Massachusetts residents are voting to fill seats in Congress, the state legislature and county government. Locally, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Bill Keating are facing challenges, while Congressman Jake Auchincloss is running unopposed. There are also open legislative seats in Southeastern Massachusetts as well as primary contests for county office. What are the 2024 ballot questions for Massachusetts?Look up your sample ballot here » ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ How to vote in Massachusetts Once you’re registered to vote in Massachusetts, you can cast your ballot on Election Day. If you won’t be able to make it to your polling place that day, you can either get a mail ballot or take part in early voting. For the general election, the early voting period runs from Saturday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Nov. 1. Contact your local election office to find out where you need to go to vote. Find Your Local Election Office » For those who request a mail ballot, they must be returned by Election Day. Officials recommended putting yours in the mail at least a week in advance. Mail ballots can also be dropped off at your local election office, early voting location or dropbox. Find Your Mail Ballot Dropbox » Anyone who plans to vote on Election Day can find their polling place on the secretary of state’s website. All polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. When you are getting ready to head to the polls, consider wearing comfortable shoes, bringing a warm layer, and taking a bottle of water with you. You may have to wait in line, and potentially outside, so make sure you block out a chunk of time in your day. Once you arrive, you may notice groups holding campaign signs and expressing their opinions on who you should vote for. This is referred to legally as electioneering, and it is required by law to be at least 150 feet away from the entrance of the polling place.  You are welcome to participate in electioneering yourself, as long as you also stay the required distance from the polling place. In the case that you feel intimidated or harassed outside or inside polling places, there are election protection resources you can contact. It’s also important to note that Massachusett's definition of electioneering includes campaign apparel, including buttons and stickers. While the state does not explicitly prohibit simply wearing campaign apparel in the polling place, if you are worried about being stopped, it’s best to leave your hats and sweatshirts at home.  When you make it to the front of the voting line, you will need to sign in and present your ID, then it’s time to vote. If you need language assistance, or accessibility tools, or you simply have a question, you are encouraged to ask a poll worker.  Many of the poll workers commuted at the crack of dawn to make sure you can exercise your right to vote–don’t forget to thank your poll workers. Finally, if something goes wrong, you have options.  If your poll worker is unable to find your name on their registration list, ask them to ensure you are at the correct polling place. If you’re in the correct place, and you are positive you have already registered, ask to use a provisional ballot.  The same goes for if you forgot your ID, you may use a provisional ballot and present your ID to your local election office during a specified period of time. It’s also important to remember that as long as you get in line at your polling place before polls close, you are entitled to vote, no matter how long it takes. Once you fill out your ballot, and get your iconic “I voted” sticker, keep your eye on 22News for continuous coverage of our crucial elections. Local News Headlines Center in Tower Square named after Springfield leader Lawmakers call for safer correctional facilities in MA Westfield police seek public’s help identifying woman Loophole Brewing closes Springfield taproom, plans future 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.