PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Campaign signs for federal, state, and local elections lined the streets and sidewalks around City Hall in Portsmouth, while local candidates for City Council and the School Board shook the hands of passersby who were headed inside the building to take care of city business, or to vote early, in what will be an election for the history books. The former president who challenged the outcome of the 2020 election, Donald Trump, is taking on the vice president who became the Democratic nominee this summer, Kamala Harris, after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race. If Harris wins in this close race, she will become the first woman, a Black woman, to win the Oval Office. In Portsmouth, some residents say the political climate in the race for the White House has been costly for the country. "Because this country needs a change; the United States needs to change," said Randy Jeremy Roth, who plans to vote Nov. 5. "Too much evil, too much nonreligious people. We need to get together as a community and put the violence down." Gloria Rollins Johnson and her daughter voted early together. The mother said democracy is at stake in November. "Definitely women's rights for me," Rollins Johnson said. "And just overall peace, you know, because we just have to be able to get along with everyone just really can't go through what we did before." "I agree," her daughter said. "Definitely women's rights for me. And just overall peace, you know, because we just have to be able to get along with everyone." To make sure your voice is heard, "step number one to you voting plan is to get registered or to check your registration to make sure you are properly registered," said Norfolk registrar Stephanie Iles. "Here in Norfolk, it's not just the elections for president, we have the Congressional races on the ballot, we have local races, the mayor for the first time is on our November ballot." If you miss the one-time, online registration deadline by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, "what that means is you can register to vote, but you would not be able to put your ballot through the voting machine on Election Day," said Portsmouth registrar Alex Abell. "You'll be voting on a provisional ballot and the electoral board reviews that and determines whether or not that vote will count after Election Day during the canvass period." How to register to vote To register online before 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, or to find out more information about registering to vote, go here.