Early voting ends in St. Louis County with nearly 27% turnout

ST. ANN, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Two weeks of no-excuse early voting ended Monday in St. Louis County with an unofficial turnout of nearly 27 percent, or more than 173,000 voters, according to the county’s election dashboard.

In the 2022 midterms, about 56,000 people voted early.

Polling locations in Missouri and Illinois are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voting early avoided long lines and possible weather on Election Day. During early voting, voters could go to any location they chose. There were a few lines in St. Louis County on Monday.

Arianna Harris was among more than 28,000 people who voted Monday in St. Louis County.

“I got off the plane at like 2:40, and I just got done at what is it, 3:25. So, I think it’s okay. It’s real quick, easy, and super helpful,” Harris said.

Debbie Bryant of Florissant also voted early.

“Many of my friends, we all were talking about early this morning. Hey, we were going to be getting down and getting out today and making sure that some of our neighbors are coming on out here, though, to get their votes in,” Bryant said.

Mark Pasewark said it took him about 10 minutes to get from the parking lot to the voting booth and back out.

St. Louis County Director of Elections Eric Fey, a Democrat, said the county had 21 early voting sites this year. In the 2024 presidential election, the county had 14 sites.

Fey said lines were long and parking lots were full in 2024.

“So we knew we had to expand the options because it’s popular,” Fey said.

Fey said 2022 was the first midterm in which early voting was available.

“Now, that was the first midterm where early voting was a thing, and most people really weren’t familiar with it yet,” Fey said.

Fey said it is not known what this year’s early voting numbers mean for Election Day.

“We just don’t know what this early voting means. If, you know, it’s a ton of people voting before Election Day, and then there’s going to be a few less than normal on Election Day or if it’s just going to be a big turnout,” Fey said.

Data from the City of St. Louis shows early turnout nearing 20 percent. In St. Charles County, early turnout is nearly 15 percent.

A wide range of issues and candidates are bringing people to the polls.

There is no U.S. Senate race on the Missouri ballot this year. Fey said the constitutional amendments on the ballot appear to be the “real turnout drivers.” He said the congressional race in Congressional District 2 also appears to be “sparking a lot of interest.”

Missouri has several statewide constitutional ballot questions, including Amendment 3 on abortion and Amendment 6 on the citizen ballot process. Congressional races are also on the Missouri ballot.

In Illinois, the races for governor and U.S. Senate are top of mind for voters.

Keith Grissom, who voted early, said he wants a balanced economy.

“Then I want the economy to be balanced so everybody can get a fair hand. That’s what I’m, that’s what’s important. Safety and then everything, balance the books,” Grissom said.

Harris said reproductive rights are important to her.

“I work in women and infants, kind of. So, reproductive rights is a big thing for me, and having access to that, having my moms have access to that,” Harris said.

Bryant said issues on the ballot led her to vote.

“Many of the issues are important to me that is on the ballot. So that’s why I felt that it was important for me to come out and to click. So for me, yes. My vote counts,” Bryant said.

How the election plays out will be answered starting Tuesday night.

Pasewark, who voted early, said:

“We’ll find out what happens tomorrow when the totals are in. But yes, I think a lot of people are very intent upon voting, no matter which side they happen to be on in various issues.”

On Election Day, voters must go to their designated polling location, according to state election officials.

Fey said voters should make a plan. He said the county sends every voter a sample ballot.

“Use that sample ballot as a cheat sheet so you don’t have to try to remember if you’re voting yes, no, yes, no, whatever the case may be,” Fey said.

Missouri Election Day voter information

Illinois Election Day voter information