ST. LOUIS — Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, alongside the Board of Election Commissioners and other elected officials, has expressed pleasure about the unveiling of new voting equipment to be used for the upcoming election cycle. The press conference was held on September 17, “National Voter Registration Day.”
Through a nearly $2 million investment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the City has upgraded its voting technology, keeping elections secure while giving St. Louisans the opportunity to vote at any precinct across the city - regardless of their registered address or neighborhood, according to the Board of Election Commissioners.
3rd Ward Alderman Shane Cohn said he was proud to have sponsored the amendment spearheading the appropriation.
“Working in partnership with the Board of Election Commissioners, the Administration, and my colleagues at the Board of Aldermen, we are listening to the voices of our voters. This critical investment in our election infrastructure allows for increased flexibility in elections for our citizens to ensure that every vote counts,” he said.
Standing alongside the mayor, Board Republican Director Gary Stoff added: “This system represents a year’s long effort on behalf of the Board of Election Commissioners to find the right system for city voters, one that gives the voter the ability to vote anywhere regardless of voter’s assigned precinct.”
In previous elections, the Board piloted 12 “Vote Center'' locations across the city where residents can vote regardless of their registered precinct. In theory, allowing residents to cast their votes anywhere will expand the power of citywide voting.
In 2022, for the first time, Missouri voters began casting ballots before Election Day without having to provide a reason why they couldn’t wait to vote in-person at their assigned polling places. Absentee voting still requires people to provide a reason for doing so, such as incapacitation due to illness or disability or plans to be gone on Election Day, among other things. However, what’s been termed as “No-excuse early voting” is an additional option to the regular absentee voting period.
According to Board Democratic Director, Ben Borgmeyer, the board’s next step will involve addressing American with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerns and making sure those voters are adequately informed about their new voting options.
“Now, the goal of the Election Board is to make sure polling places are physically accessible for all voters and to educate St. Louisans on their voting options prior to the August 24, 2024, Primary Election,” Borgmeyer said.
Though not directly linked, his statement applies to the importance of next year’s national, state and municipal elections. Besides voting for Presidential, Senate and Congressional candidates, issues such as abortion rights, election security or voter infringement, protecting welfare resources for the truly needy, defending or defeating political agendas in public schools or simply protecting the integrity of the Democratic voting process, there is a lot at stake in next year’s elections.
National Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, were in St. Louis for a Democratic National Committee conference last week, and all speakers shared the message that every vote will be important in the 2024 election cycle.
Adding new voter machines was an example of the political collaboration needed between entities such as the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Election Commissioners, Mayor Jones stressed, to make sure the process is fairer and more open to all voters. There is a need for continued collaboration, she added.