Presidential elections draw the most voters to the polls, but having a plan can help avoid long lines, prevent mistakes, and help fellow voters.

All polling places in Pennsylvania are open on Election Day, November 5, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Anyone in line by 8:00 PM will be allowed to vote.

Here are five steps to prepare to vote in person.

Step 1: Check your voter registration

Pennsylvania voters can check their registration online by providing their name, Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card number or over the phone by calling the county electoral office.

The deadline to register to vote was October 21st, so anyone not currently registered will not be able to vote.

If you’re an inactive voter, meaning someone who hasn’t voted in two federal elections, you’ll need to fill out a form at the elections office to reactivate your registration. It might have to show identificationbut you will be able to vote normally.

Step 2: Confirm your polling place

The polling stations sometimes change, so it’s important to double-check that you know where you’re going.

Greg Monskie, York County’s chief operations officer and chief clerk, said there are many reasons polling places change.

“It could be that whoever hosts the polling place chooses not to, there could be a conflict they could have on Election Day,” Monskie said. “We will periodically make changes to polling stations if we don’t think they are big enough to accommodate the voters we would expect to turn out – especially in the case of a presidential election.”

He said voters affected by the changes should have received an email notification notifying them of the new polling place.

The State Department has one online resource where voters can enter their address to find a polling place.

Step 3: Schedule a time to vote

Presidential elections usually attract the largest number of voters. Polls are open on November 5th from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

The busiest times are generally first thing in the morning, around lunchtime and after work.

Voting in mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when lines are typically shortest, helps voters avoid lines and reduces wait times for those who need to show up during rush hour.

Step 4: Know what to bring

Some voters may need to bring additional identification to vote.

Anyone voting in a constituency for the first time must show ID.

These may include a driver’s license or PennDOT ID, state or federal government ID, US passport, US military ID, student ID, employee ID, confirmation issued by the County Registrar of Voters, a firearm permit or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check that includes your name and address.

If a voter cannot provide ID, they will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Once the county confirms it is eligible to vote, the ballot will be counted.

Step 5: Vote

Research the candidates which will be on the ballot and put the plan into action. Voters can bring notes or use their phones while filling out a ballot.

Have you requested a postal ballot but want to vote in person?

Those who requested a mail-in ballot can still vote in person, with some additional hurdles.

These voters will need to bring their ballot and return envelope to the polling station, hand in their ballot and fill out some paperwork, then vote in person. The process will take a few extra minutes depending on how busy the polling station is.

Potential voters who do not submit their postal ballot and envelope may vote only provisionally at their polling station. Before the provisional ballot can be counted, the county electoral commission will verify by mail that the person did not vote.

This story is part of an explanatory series focused on the Pennsylvania election, co-produced by WITF in Harrisburg and The Associated Press.