ST. LOUIS — Election Day is this Tuesday and there is still time to vote early. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken advantage of early voting in our area.
Monday is the last day for early voting in Missouri and it might be the busiest one yet.
In St. Louis County, a record number of people showed up early to the polls, which are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Nearly 240,850 ballots have already been cast in the county.
“We encourage all the voters to get that sample ballot, research the issues. There's roughly 45 issues per ballot. Study the issues and then mark the ballot and bring it in with them,” said St. Louis County Republican Director of Elections Rick Stream.
It’s also important to have a valid ID ready at the polls as that is required in Missouri.
In St. Louis, early voting has been steadily ramping up since opening day, and it's important to note that the last day of early voting, hours change at satellite locations.
“We need to flip them over into polling places. So we're really making sure that people know if they come after 4 p.m., they're not going to be able to vote (Monday). We're open here (at the Board of Elections) until 5 p.m.,” said St. Louis Democratic Director of Elections Ben Borgmeyer said.
It's unclear if record amounts of early voters will help bring lines down on Election Day, but Missouri polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are already in line at 7 p.m., you can still vote.
“The early morning vote will be heavy, but afternoon it’ll be a lot lighter, and people can literally walk into the polls,” Stream said.
Security has been on the minds of many voters. Borgmeyer said they have a plan to keep you and your ballot safe.
“We work closely with law enforcement as far as trying to monitor any issues that could possibly be on the horizon. And then also on Election Day, too, we have teams of what we call 'roving deputies' who are actually accompanied by law enforcement, too, in case there are issues ... at polling places,” Borgmeyer said.
The U.S. Department of Justice will be monitoring polls in 27 states including Missouri — specifically the City of St. Louis.
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, questioned the legal basis for the Department of Justice being present in Missouri.
"Missouri law vigorously restricts who may enter polling places during voting to protect our citizens’ right to suffrage. The unnecessary and seemingly unlawful intrusion of the same partisan agency that sued Alabama and Virginia to let noncitizens vote in elections is wrong. The DOJ is unwanted, not needed, and has provided no legal basis to interfere with Missouri elections," he said.
The DOJ did not give a specific reason, but the city did enter into a consent decree in 2021 regarding ADA requirements at polling places.
Both St. Louis and St. Louis County will be utilizing wait time apps at all polling places on election day so you can find the best time to go vote.