Exit polls help us better understand who came out to vote, how different groups of people voted and how they feel about some of the biggest issues of the campaign.

After 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Election Day, Americans will get their first look at exit polls, which could offer early intel in the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump for the presidency. But how do exit polls work, and are they reliable? Here’s what to know on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Voters said the economy and immigration are the top issues facing the country, but the future of democracy was also a leading motivator for many Americans casting a ballot in Tuesday’s presidential election.