The General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2020. We asked Julie Coe, Coles County Clerk & Recorder some questions about the upcoming election.
If you do not live in Coles County but have questions, you should visit your County Clerk and Recorder website for details about your county. You can also call you County Clerk’s office.
Please note that Columbus Day, Monday, October 12, 2020 is a federal and state holiday. The Clerk’s office will be closed and early voting will not be available at any location.
- How do I know if I am a registered voter?
You can check the Illinois State Board of Elections website to see if you are registered. https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx
- Is there still time to register to vote in Illinois?
Yes. On October 7, 2020, grace period registration in Illinois opened. This allows you to still register to vote for the upcoming General Election. You are required to vote at the time of grace period registration.
There are two locations for grace period registration:
Coles County Clerk’s office (at the Coles County Courthouse) in Charleston, 8:30am to 4:30pm, weekdays, through November 2, 2020. On Election Day, November 3rd, the Clerk’s office is open until 7pm.
Salvation Army Citadel in Mattoon, 9am to 4pm, weekdays, through November 2, 2020. On Election Day, November 3rd, the poll at the Salvation Army is open until 7pm.
- Is there still time to cast my vote early?
Yes. If you are a registered Coles County voter you may early vote at the Coles County Clerk’s office (at the Coles County Courthouse, Room 122) in Charleston, at the Salvation Army Citadel (1300 Richmond Ave) in Mattoon or at Eastern Illinois University. These locations serve all Coles County precincts.
Coles County Clerk’s Office in Charleston:
Weekdays, through Monday, November 2, 2020, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Saturday, October 24 and 31, 2020, from 9am to Noon.
Salvation Army in Mattoon:
Weekdays, through Monday, November 2, 2020, 9am to 4pm.
Saturday, October 24 and 31, 2020, from 9am to Noon.
EIU, Martin Luther King, Jr., University Union, Bridge Lounge
October 28 – October 30, 2020, from 10am to 5pm.
- I would like to vote by mail but don’t have an application, is there still time to request one?
Yes. We must receive your application by October 29, 2020. You will find the application on our website: https://www.co.coles.il.us/CoClerk/elections/2020/VBM%20APPLICATION.pdf
Once you complete the application you can mail it back to our office or email your application to vbmrequest@co.coles.il.us
Your ballot will be mailed to you.
- If I vote by mail is there anything else I need to know about my ballot?
Once you have completed voting, you will put your ballot in the ballot certification envelope. You (the voter) must sign the ballot certification envelope. Before signing your envelope, you should review your signature on your voter information card issued by the county.
- Does your office review mail in ballots?
In accordance with Illinois Law, each mail in ballot must be reviewed by three (3) Election Judges. In Coles County, there are more registered Republicans than Democrats. There will be two (2) Republican Election Judges and one (1) Democrat Election Judge reviewing each ballot.
- I have my ballot, but have decided not to vote by mail and I want to vote in person. What can I do?
If you decide not to vote by mail, the ballot must be returned in person in order to vote in person at your precinct on Election Day.
- When can I vote on Election Day?
The polls in Illinois are open on Election Day from 6am to 7pm.
- Is there still time to be an Election Judge?
Yes. Election Day in Illinois is now a state holiday. Hopefully, this gives you more time to vote and to volunteer as an Election Judge. Students are also welcome to learn firsthand how an election is conducted. To be a Judge, you must be a citizen of the United States and a registered voter in your county, unless you are a 16 or 17 year old student. If you would like details on how to be a Coles County Election Judge, please call 217.348.7331.
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