Government, Politics & Issues

Missouri's few competitive state Senate contests could have big implications for congressional redistricting and the future leadership of the General Assembly's upper chamber.

In an effort to elect candidates with a broader base of support, a group called STL Approves is backing Proposition D, which is on the ballot Nov. 3. It would make the mayor, comptroller, board president and aldermen nonpartisan offices. Voters could select as many candidates as they want in March, a method of holding elections known as approval voting. The top two candidates would run against each other in April.

Proposition R would raise St. Louis residents' property tax rate by 6 cents, yielding $2.3 million annually for early childhood centers in the city.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has called a second special legislative session to begin on Thursday, Nov. 5, to deal with a supplemental budget bill. The main priority is ensuring the state has access to additional federal funding for coronavirus response and recovery.

Proposition 1 would eliminate a residency requirement that’s been in the charter since 1914, although rules around employees living in the city have reportedly existed since the 19th century. If it gets the 60% needed, all employees except elected officials and high-level appointees such as cabinet members would be able to live where they want.

The St. Louis County Board of Elections announced Wednesday it will publish polling site wait times online throughout the day this election. County leaders say the interactive map will help reduce crowding at polling sites and help voters plan ahead of time.

It’s a small slice of the almost 5,000 absentee or mail-in ballots rejected, but advocates say even one uncounted vote is too many. Under this year's new mail-in voting option, voters have to have their ballot envelope notarized.

Backlash over President Donald Trump's words and actions could be leading to a realignment in central and western St. Louis County, a historically Republican enclave. That could have a big impact on several key down-ballot races.

The St. Louis County Council passed two bills by 4-3 margins that will let any emergency mandate passed by County Executive Sam Page expire after 15 days, unless the council votes to keep it.

Across St. Louis County, different school districts have very different schedules when it comes to bringing students back to the classroom. Some are ready to return their oldest grades, while others have committed to staying online until next semester.