It’s easy to register to vote in Coles County. You need to be 18 years old, born in the U.S. or be a naturalized citizen and have two forms of ID: a state issued picture ID card, driver’s license or student ID plus a document or bill with your address.

You can register online at www.VOTE411.org or in person at the County Clerk’s office at the courthouse in Charleston (651 Jackson Ave.) and the City Clerk’s office at the Mattoon City Hall (208 N. 19th St.).

There is no registration deadline to vote in the Nov. 6 election. You can register to vote and actually vote on Election Day at the courthouse in Charleston. You can vote early from Sep. 27 to Nov. 5 during regular hours at the courthouse (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F) and Mattoon City Hall (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F).

If you work Mondays through Fridays and can’t make it during the week, both offices will be open for voters on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. On Election Day, you can also vote at your assigned polling place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Democracy works best when we all vote!