Approval Voting
Approval voting gives power back to voters by letting them vote for as many candidates as they support down the ballot.
In 2020, St. Louisans passed Proposition D with over 68% of support, instituting approval voting in St. Louis. In St. Louis City, approval voting means that voters mark all the candidates they approve of in the primary election, and the top-two candidates with the most support advance to the run-off in 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 in St. Louis County, Kansas City, Springfield, and Lee’s Summit are all exploring their own voting method reforms with the support of Show Me Integrity and other coalition partners.
