Early voting for the upcoming November 2024 general election has kicked off with a bang in the St. Louis area. A significant number of voters from St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County have already taken advantage of the opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of time as the first week of in-person absentee voting came to a close on Saturday.
According to the latest figures provided by local election authorities in the three counties, St. Louis County has reported that 78,495 voters have cast their absentee in-person ballots as of Saturday afternoon. In St. Louis City, 15,403 voters have done the same by Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, in St. Charles County, 7,821 voters had already cast their absentee in-person ballots by Thursday afternoon, with an additional estimated 3,000 early voters on Friday. Altogether, more than 100,000 in-person ballots have been cast across the three counties as of Saturday.
Over the weekend, FOX 2 observed long lines forming at a polling place in Ladue, St. Louis County. The lines stretched nearly 20 feet outside the St. Louis County Library – Clark Branch, with many parents bringing their children along to wait in line before casting their in-person absentee ballots.
For those who have yet to participate in early voting, there is still time to do so. Absentee in-person voting in Missouri will continue through Monday, November 4th, at local election authorities. If you’re interested in finding out more about early voting locations and current wait times in St. Louis County, you can click here for more information.
The high turnout of early voters in the St. Louis area is a promising sign of civic engagement and active participation in the democratic process. It is encouraging to see so many individuals taking the initiative to have their voices heard and exercise their right to vote well before Election Day. This level of enthusiasm and interest in the electoral process bodes well for a strong voter turnout in the upcoming general election.
As we move closer to Election Day, it is essential for all eligible voters to educate themselves on the candidates and issues at stake, and to make an informed decision when casting their ballots. Whether you choose to vote early or on November 4th, your vote matters and can make a difference in shaping the future of our communities and our country. So, let’s continue to see this momentum in voter turnout and make our voices count in the upcoming November 2024 general election.
