Pass Approval Voting
Approval voting gives more freedom and power to voters to vote for all the candidates they support for each office.
In 2020, St. Louisans passed Proposition D with over 68% of support, which included approval voting. In St. Louis City, the new system is also nonpartisan. Voters mark all the candidates they approve of in the primary election. The top two candidates with the most support advance to the general election.
St. Louis City had their first election under the new system on March 2, 2021, and the first run-off under this system on April 6, 2021— and the community support has been overwhelming. As a result of this new system, St. Louis elected a new mayor and new Alderpersons, who now have a strong mandate to lead and won with a majority of support.
With approval voting, every vote matters.
Under the new system:
Voter turnout hit 29.9% percent—among the highest ever for odd-year municipal elections locally and nationally. It was about the same as 2017’s huge turnout, 30.12%. This occurred despite Missouri not extending COVID absentee laws.
The new system has given new officials a mandate to lead. Under the old system, candidates won with as little as 30 percent of primary support—leaving residents of all political parties dissatisfied. With approval voting and a runoff, our new elected officials can pursue bold, transformational changes for St. Louis.
After the success of St. Louis, other areas are now exploring reform. Reformers across Missouri, including Lee’s Summit, St. Louis County, Kansas City, and Springfield are all exploring their own reforms with the support of Show Me Integrity and other coalition partners.
We’re currently exploring approval voting campaigns across the state.
