Student Senate members will be registering eligible voters on campus Thursday, Friday and Monday in a voter drive to encourage turnout for the November gubernatorial elections.

The drive will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Coleman Hall lobby and in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, said Marty Ruhaak, student vice president for public affairs.

Senate members were deputized at last week’s senate meeting, making them eligible to register voters.

Students and others new to campus must be registered in Coles County before being allowed to vote in the county.

To register, students must show proof of U.S. citizenship, live within the voting precinct for 30 days prior to registration and present proof of a local address. Students also can vote by absentee ballot but must contact their home county clerk to do so.

The President’s Council met with the senate Sept. 11 to push for their help to increase student votes, especially since legislators weigh voter turnout when passing legislation.

“If they (legislators) find out that you’re voting, they’re going to listen a lot more,” said Interim President Lou Hencken.

Ruhaak said the drive was extended to three days to make registering more accessible to students.

The voter drive is organized by Student Government, University Democrats and the Green Party.

WEIU-FM also will offer students a chance to register to vote Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Eastern vs. Illinois State football game.

Students can register at Gate 2 of O’Brien Stadium and will receive a free prize for registering.