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Published on January 21, 2025
St. Louis Primary Election Reworked, Prop D Enforces Non-Partisan Ballot Ahead of March 4 VoteSource: Unsplash/Arnaud Jaegers

As the city gears up for its Primary Municipal Election on March 4, voters need to be mindful of a non-partisan twist in the ballot process, thanks to Proposition D. Passed back in November 2020, this measure has effectively shifted the political landscape, stripping away the party affiliations from the candidate's slate. In an attempt to streamline the democratic process, the system now permits voters to endorse as many candidates as they see fit for any given office, as reported by the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners. The endgame here is simple: the top two contenders with the most votes per office enter the ring for the General Municipal Election on April 8.

But there's a twist in this election's tale—not every race will appear on the primary ballot. The St. Louis Election Board's recent clarification states, "If only one or two candidates file for a particular office the names of those candidates will NOT appear on the Primary ballot." This cuts the ballot clutter and automatically catapults such lone or dual candidates to the April 8 election showdown. As it stands, Wards 1, 5, 7, 9, and 13 find themselves in this exact scenario, the races thin with less than a triumvirate of candidates vying for the aldermanic seats. This piece of the puzzle falls into place courtesy of City Ordinance 71736, which took effect in December 2023.

For voters accustomed to the rhythm of party allegiance dictating their choice, this election represents a departure, a new beat to dance to. The St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners elaborates, "all candidates are non-partisan," emphasizing the unified ballot where traditional party lines no longer bind. Voters now find themselves free to cast their ballots in a more fluid, arguably more personal method, selecting individuals rather than parties—a move that could shake up the traditional mechanics of municipal elections.

With the primary just around the corner, voters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the ballot changes and prepare to exercise their right to vote with this new perspective in mind. For more details and to stay updated, citizens can consult the announcement provided by the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners.