It's the Final Countdown!
Last Weekend to Vote Before Election Day, April 8th!
Election season is almost over for the 2025 Municipal Elections, and it’s always a little bittersweet for me. Everyone who knows me, knows I work hard for my candidates! Though I am excited to take a break before the next big thing, I will miss working with my pals (especially Gloria Noble) on the Baringer campaign and talking to people from across the city.
With that said, the moment we have all been working towards is here! And it has been here since the polls opened for Early Voting on March 25th. Here are the locations and hours of where you can vote early:
Buder Library
4401 HAMPTON AVE
Carpenter Branch Library
3309 S GRAND AVE
Divoll Library
4234 N GRAND BLVD
Kingshighway Branch Library
2260 S VANDEVENTER AVE
Schlafly Library
225 N EUCLID AVE
Walnut Park Library
5760 W FLORISSANT AVE
St. Louis City Election Board*
300 N TUCKER BLVD
Hours for Library No Excuse-Absentee Voting Locations:
Saturday: 11 AM- 4:30 PM
Monday: 1 PM - 5 PM
*Hours for the St. Louis City Election Board:
Monday: 8 AM–5 PM
Saturday, April 5: 9 AM-1 PM
Election Day Voting Information: April 8th, 2025
On Election Day, voters can now vote at any polling place! This link will take you to the St. Louis City’s Board of Elections webpage where you can view all those locations.
“Wait, we can vote early and at any location now? Since when?”
The city of St.Louis implemented what public policy researchers call “convenience voting” options. Convenience voting measures include early voting, centralized polling places, and mail-in balloting. It is basically any measure that allows voting outside of an assigned precinct on Election Day.
The implementation of convenience measures in St. Louis was partially a product of the Missouri state legislature’s enactment of House Bill 1878, which established the controversial Voter ID laws. This law requires that citizens must have a valid photo state or military ID to vote, which disproportionally impacts low income voters and historically marginalized groups.
This bill also eliminated voting machines because of the false narrative that electronic voting machines lead to voter fraud. However, politicians often attempt to appease and impress their supporters when they chase a popular conspiracy theory, no matter how dangerous that conspiracy is. They leaned into this idea that electronic machines are susceptible to fraud (they were not hardwired to any networks), and by banning those machines, they reinforced the harmful idea that the system is rigged. From my own research, when citizens think that the system is rigged, they often adopt a cynical point of view and discourage future civic participation.
There is one good item from HB1878 for the pro-democracy side, and that is Early Voting. Missourians can now vote up to two weeks before an election, though many voters I know still like the sense of community they feel when they vote on Election Day. In this busy world, it is good to have options!
In addition to HB 1878’s early voting, St. Louis City and County both adopted the “vote anywhere” policy. Under Missouri law, voters are still assigned to that precinct but they do not need to vote in that precinct. The director of the board of elections, Ben Borgmeyer, explained to me that in some cases, folks were physically located closer to polling places that were not technically in their ward/precinct, so they would have to travel further to vote. To accommodate this system, the board of elections also implemented “print on demand” ballots, which significantly reduced the cost and waste of paper! Shout out to the BOEC for reducing costs and saving trees!
“I know for sure that I want to vote for Donna Baringer for Comptroller, but what about other candidates on the ballot?”
The Mayoral Race
My friends and family know that I have never been a supporter of the current mayor or her opponent, so it has been very interesting figuring out who I would support for mayor. I am looking at it through a purely administrative perspective: who can best take care of the city and address our issues? Though I appreciate Jones’ support of the immigrant community and her work on bringing investment to the North Side, I feel that some of her decisions were based on what was politically popular in 2021 and not what was best for the city. For one example, the abrupt closure of the workhouse jail exacerbated the already overcrowded city jail. In my opinion, she has also made some poor choices for appointments including the streets department director, the city jail director, and the personnel director.
Cara Spencer also took some of the same positions as the mayor in the 2021 mayoral election, so it is interesting to see her campaign differentiate her as the “non-ultra liberal” choice in this election. I have disagreed with many of her positions in the past, but her constituents really appreciated her as their alderwoman. She is known to be very responsive, and she believes in the “back-to-basics” leadership, when our officials are confronting issues head on instead of passing it off to someone else. I have noticed an emerging philosophy from some aldermen, in which they view their responsibilities as purely legislative but no longer think that they need to directly address citizens’ concerns from hands on work (examples: driving through alleys, calling about downed trees, checking out issues themselves). Thankfully, Cara Spencer does not believe in that type of leadership, or else I would not have voted for her.
The Odd Numbered Wards, with competitions
Ward one: Anne Schweitzer (incumbent) vs. Tony Kirchner
This race is going to be tight, judging from the yard signs. I personally haven’t always agreed with Schweitzer’s positions or political endorsements, but I know that she works hard for her neighborhood. However, many first warders (including my mom) believe that change will be good in the first ward and are hoping that the former Sheriff’s Deputy, Tony Kirchner, will pull off a win.
Ward 3: Shane Cohn (incumbent) vs. Dallas Adams
This race is very interesting, just because of how long Cohn has been serving on the board, and how close the primary race was. I am riding the waves of change, and if I lived in the third ward, I would vote for Adams.
Ward 7: Alisha Sonnier (incumbent) vs. Cedric Redmon
Ward 7, my old stomping grounds! If I lived back in my old neighborhood, I would definitely vote for Cedric Redmon. I have known him over the years, and he is a very hard worker in his community. I believe he will bring experience and common sense policies to the table.
Ward 11: Laura Keys (incumbent) vs. Rebecca McCloud
I have not followed this race closely at all, but I used to work with Laura Keys in the Recorder of Deeds Office. She is a hard-worker, and was a great coworker to me. I am not familiar with her challeger. Best of luck to the winner of this race!
The School Board Race
Read about all the candidates here!
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Endorses Donna Baringer for Comptroller!
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Endorsed Donna Baringer for Comptroller because the editorial board recognizes that after 30 years, “it’s time for the voters to retire Green” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2025). Improving employee morale, staffing and modernizing the office, creating systems that deliver transparency, and simply showing up to work are all reasons why the editorial board are recommending Donna Baringer for Comptroller. This is it, St. Louis. We have an opportunity to vote for someone with a proven track record for working hard for her constituents and making a real difference in the community!
To celebrate this endorsement, our dear friend and south side community leader, Joseph Miklovic, wrote a poem:
With a steadfast heart and vision clear, She’s earned the trust of those held dear. A leader bold, both strong and wise, Who lifts up St. Louis to new highs. Through years of service, tried and true, Her guiding hand has seen us through. From alderwoman’s steady fight, To statehouse halls where laws took flight. Now called once more to lead the way, With honor bright and debts to pay— Not debts of coin, but duty sworn, To mend what’s frayed, to not forlorn. A pledge she made, a vow she kept, To stand, to serve, where others slept. No absent hand, no faltering pace, She takes her post with steadfast grace. A champion of the city’s trust, She cleans the tarnish, sweeps the dust. For every worker, every trade, Ensuring timely debts are paid. For years, neglect had taken hold, A city’s trust left out in the cold. Unpaid dues and tangled chains, Lost in absent hands' remains. With coffers full yet debts delayed, The workers toiled but were not paid. Conflicts lurking in the shade, Integrity so long betrayed. But change has come, the hour is here, To end the rule of doubt and fear. A pledge she made, a vow she kept, To stand, to serve, where others slept. A champion of the city’s trust, She cleans the tarnish, sweeps the dust. For every worker, every trade, Ensuring timely debts are paid. So let us cheer and raise our voice, For change has come, let’s now rejoice! With Baringer in the Comptroller’s seat, A brighter future stands to greet. Onward, Donna! Brave and true, St. Louis proudly stands with you.
Want to volunteer for Donna’s campaign? Email donnacbaringer@gmail.com
Volunteering at the Polls? Come Prepared!
Thanks for Reading! See you at the Polls!
Note: Most of my information was sourced from my own reasearch on Convenience voting in St. Louis and personal communications with voters and officials. Feel free to send me a message or to leave a comment if you want to know more about specific information in this blog post.
Reference
The Editorial Board. (2025, April 2). Post-Dispatch endorsement: We recommend Donna Baringer for St. Louis city comptroller. The St. Louis Post-Disptach. https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/article_dc495b6d-2973-40af-8d19-375cf840e8b7.html