ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Early voters have turned out in force at St. Charles County polling locations. After seeing consistent long waits and hearing from griping voters, the St. Charles County Election Authority is adding additional staff, parking for its main office, a shuttle service to and from off-site parking, and extending the satellite voting site an extra day. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Election Authority added off-site parking at The Crossing at Mid Rivers with shuttle service to the polls at the Election Authority

  • St. Charles County expected 2,500 voters per day and has seen over 3,500 per day at the Election Authority alone

  • Satellite voting at Element Church will now be open on Monday, Nov. 4 

  • Curbside voting is available at the Election Authority but not at Element Church
  • Those wishing to vote at their traditional polling places may do so on Nov. 5 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.


 

“This is the first presidential election where no-excuse absentee voting has been part of the process in Missouri,” says Kurt Bahr, St. Charles County Director of Elections in a press release. “The turnout is way, way more than anticipated. It far exceeded any projection we had. And not just us — other counties are seeing the same thing.”

Satellite voting at Element Church at 100 Mall Parkway in Wentzville was set to end Friday, Nov. 1. Due to high demand, the site will open Monday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Element Church is not open for voting on Saturday or Sunday. The Election Authority also added 60% more staff, 50% more voter check-in stations, and double the ballot printers to the satellite voting site to process voters more quickly. 

The Election Authority office at 397 Turner Blvd, St. Peters has also added off-site parking with a short 5 minute shuttle bus ride. Those wishing to use this service may park at The Crossing at Mid Rivers at 6000 west Geneva Drive, St. Peters.

Bahr’s team expected up to 2,500 voters per day during the two weeks of no-excuse absentee voting, but on Monday the main office alone saw over 3,500 voters. Since the no-excuse absentee voting began on Oct. 22, over 25,000 people have voted. 9,300 voted during the prior four weeks of traditional absentee voting.

To vote in St. Charles County, residents must bring an approved photo ID with them to cast their ballot. All who are in line by 4:30 p.m. at the Election Authority or 3 p.m. at Element Church will be permitted to vote.

The Election Authority Office is open Monday through Saturday until Nov 4. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They also provide curbside voting.

Element Church is open Monday through Friday until Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. but does not provide curbside voting.

Those that wish to vote at their assigned polling place may do so on Election Day, Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the Election Authority will be open for any registered voter in the county to cast their ballot as well for the same time span.