As in other states, the rules on voting in Maryland have changed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic

For the most part, the changes have made things easier, with more options for voters nervous about heading to the polls on Election Day.

Here’s what you need to know about voting along the Route 1 corridor.

Registering to vote: You must register to vote by Tuesday, Oct. 13. You can check whether you are registered in less than 30 seconds here on Vote.org or here on the state website. You can register to vote online in Maryland here. You can also print and mail a voter registration form, as long as it’s postmarked by Oct. 13. You can also register to vote in person, but the Board of Elections office is in Largo and it’s only open by appointment by calling 301-341-7300. You can register to vote during early voting and on Election Day.

Requesting a mail-in ballot: If you wish to vote by mail, you will need to request a mail-in ballot by Tuesday, Oct. 20. The state will automatically send mail-in ballot applications — not the ballots, just the applications — to every registered voter. You can also request a mail-in ballot online here or receive one on your phone by texting VBM to 77788.

Voting by mail: The state will begin sending out mail-in ballots on Thursday. You must return them in person by 8 p.m. on Election Day or by mail with a Nov. 3 postmark. If you are nervous about sending your ballot by mail, you can place it in a secure drop box starting Monday, Sept. 28 at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Parkdale High School in Riverdale Park, the Pavilion at the University of Maryland Xfinity Center in College Park, or Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt.

Checking the status of your ballot: You can check the status of your mail-in ballot online here. “Sent” means the state has mailed you a ballot. “Received” means it has gotten the ballot back. “Accepted” means it has been counted. If your ballot is rejected, the local board of elections should attempt to contact you to give you a chance to fix any errors.

Voting early: You can vote early Monday, Oct. 26 through Monday, Nov. 2, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pavilion at the University of Maryland Xfinity Center at 8500 Paint Branch Drive in College Park or other early voting centers.

Voting on Election Day: You can vote in person on Election Day at any one of 40 Vote Centers, including the Xfinity Center, Northwestern High, Parkdale High and Eleanor Roosevelt High. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. If you are in line to vote when a polling place is closing, you will be allowed to vote as long as you remain in line.

Voter ID: If you have voted in Maryland before, you don’t need ID to vote in person. If you are a first-time voter, you’ll need a driver’s license; state or federal ID card; student, employee or military ID; or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. If you don’t have ID, you can cast a provisional ballot and provide ID at the board of elections by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11.