Avoid wearing campaign T-shirt, cap ...

In the 2000 presidential race, the election process was tainted by hanging chads in Florida. In 2004, the voting machines malfunctioned in Ohio. With this year’s historic election, the voter turnout could well be the biggest in recent history.

But the fundamental question is whether the pressure will cause the country’s election machinery to buckle down.

The record voter turnout in this year’s primaries was phenomenal. The number of voters in Delaware and the District of Columbia was three times the 2000 figure, and was double in Florida. The onslaught of voters exposed weak links in the system. Lines were so long people had to wait for hours to vote in Texas. Ballots were delivered late in Virginia and voters were asked to write their choice in slips of paper -- which were subsequently disqualified. Poll workers in the District of Columbia did not trust the new electronic machines and hid them.

Election officials have gone to great extent to prepare for Tuesday’s elections. But fears remain that the crush of millions of voters eager to vote for either candidate could overwhelm the system in place.

In case things turn confusing at the polling places, here are some points every voter should know:

* Check www.canivote.org to ensure that you are registered to vote and to find out the polling place to which you have been assigned.

* Ask for a provisional ballot. If you are at the polling place but your name is not on the list or have forgotten your ID, etc., you may cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are set aside in an electronic database until election officials are able to determine (usually within 7 days after the election) your correct registration status and polling precinct.

* Avoid wearing campaign T-shirts, caps, buttons or other stuff when you go to vote. Some states say that wearing T-shirts with the candidate’s likeness on them is equivalent to campaigning, which is prohibited inside the polls and within a certain radius.

* Wait in line even if the polls are officially closed. If you are still in line at the time the polls close, you will be allowed to vote. It is not your fault you are still in line.

* Bring along a photo ID or other forms of identification when you vote. The best forms of identification are a driver’s license and a state-issued ID. There are states that want either of these two ID’s, but some others are willing to recognize alternate photo IDs and some other forms of identification.

* Do not pay attention to false flyers that say because of huge turnouts, Republicans will vote Tuesday and Democrats Wednesday.

* Do not vote for a presidential candidate and then vote straight for his party on the ballot. Doing this could negate your vote for president.