As election day draws nearer, a large number of individuals are showing up for no excuse in-person absentee voting in the St. Louis area. Unlike traditional absentee voting, registered voters in Missouri can cast their ballots without providing a reason until November 4.
Early voting commenced on October 22 in Missouri, and the turnout has been significant. In St. Louis County alone, close to 99,000 individuals have already voted early. On Monday, over 20,000 people participated in no excuse absentee voting in St. Louis County.
Similarly, in St. Charles County, nearly 26,000 people have cast their in-person ballots since October 22. Monday saw a record-breaking number of over 3,500 individuals voting at the St. Charles County Election Authority office.
In St. Louis City, more than 22,800 people have also made use of the opportunity for no excuse in-person absentee voting. Rick Stream, the Republican Director for the St. Louis County Board of Elections, expressed his astonishment at the overwhelming turnout. He mentioned that they are averaging about 18,000 voters per day, and if this trend continues, the early voting numbers for this election might surpass those of the 2020 election.
The voter turnout in St. Louis County for this election has the potential to reach or even exceed the record-high 79.3% turnout seen in 2020. There are 14 locations in St. Louis County where individuals can vote early, and real-time line counts are available for voters to check the wait times.
The surge in early voting numbers indicates a strong interest and engagement in the electoral process among the residents of Missouri. This trend also highlights the importance of providing accessible and convenient voting options for the electorate. By offering opportunities like no excuse in-person absentee voting, more individuals are encouraged to participate in shaping the future through their votes. This increased turnout ultimately leads to a more representative and inclusive democratic process.
