Preview: Local elections in western Massachusetts

22 News is your local election headquarters and voters will be casting their ballots tomorrow that will shape the future of leadership and policy across our region. 22 News reporter Christina Deores joins us live in studio and has what you should keep in mind ahead of election day. >> That's right. From mayoral to city council races and even some questions on the ballot. Here's what you can expect. Whether it's a mayoral showdown or a city council shakeup, >> voters in a dozen communities across western Massachusetts will be heading to the polls Tuesday to decide who should be next to lead their municipality. In Springfield, Mayor Dominic Sarno is in the middle of a four-year term. So, that race is not on the ballot, but there are races for city council facing challenges within five wards as well as school committee races. We have had a good amount of early voter turnout, so we did see good numbers for early voting and for vote by mail. >> Most communities have council seats up for grabs, but only four have contested mayoral races. In West Springfield, Mayor Will Reichel faces a challenge from town counselor Dan O'Brien. 16 local ballot questions are also up for a vote. In Westfield, Mayor Michael McCabe is seeking another term against challenger Andrew Mullen. Northampton incumbent Mayor Gina Luis Sherah is being challenged by Jillian Duclo. and interim mayor Salem Derby is facing two challengers in East Hampton which will be decided by rank choice voting. >> Rank choice voting means that voters can list candidates in order of preference and if no one earns more than 50% of the first choice votes the lowest candidate is eliminated and then those ballots go to voters's next choice until one candidate wins true majority. Holio Mayor Joshua Garcia is running again unimposed as well as shabby mayor John Vue. Chick voters will have contested council and school committee races as well as a question about changing property tax billing. Awam, Greenfield, Pittsfield, and North Adams also have local races. Most polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. However, Ticky, Westfield, and North Adams close at 700 p.m. Make sure to stay up to date on your polling place and its hours on wwlp.com. And our election team coverage begins tomorrow right here on Twe starting at 5. We'll have the latest results on air and online at wwlp.com.