With election campaigns winding down, Election Day is just about to arrive.  

During this time, there can be confusion and anxiety about where and how to vote. In Charleston, there are several polling places scattered across the community, with 17 precincts in total.  

Precincts 16 and 17, where most EIU students on campus live, vote at the Bridge Lounge in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, according to the Coles County Clerk website. 

Precincts one and 12 in Charleston vote at the CUSD #1 School Administration office at 410 W. Polk Ave.  

Precincts two and four vote at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 921 Madison Ave.  

Precincts three, five and 13 vote at Home Church at 2350 Madison Ave.  

Precincts six and eight vote at the Masonic Temple at 651 W. Lincoln Ave. 

Precincts 10 and 11 voting at Charleston Baptist Church at 2800 University Drive.  

Precincts 14, 15, 18 and 19 vote at the Newman Catholic Center at 500 Roosevelt Ave., located behind Lawson Hall.  

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.  

For those that do not know their precinct, they can find out through the Illinois State Board of Elections. 

Voters do not need to show identification to vote, and same-day registration is allowed in Illinois. If you are in line at the polling place by 7 p.m., you are legally allowed to vote.  

If you run into any issues while voting or are disenfranchised, meaning you are turned away from voting, contact the Illinois Board of Elections at 217-782-4141.  

Jacob Hamm can be reached at 581-2812 or at jmhamm@eiu.edu.