St. Louis Board of Election opens filing for municipal elections

Monday November 29th is the first day of filing for the Spring elections in the City of St. Louis. Filing is open from Monday through 5pm Friday, January 7, 2005. One would think I was able to gather this basic information from the St. Louis Board of Elections. but that web site proved virtually worthless. Under the heading, “WhatÂ’s on the ballot for the next municipal election?” “In March, 2003 voters in the City of St. Louis will nominate candidates for President of the Board of Aldermen, even-numbered ward aldermen, and ward 23 alderman (special election unexpired term).” It is November 2004 two days before filing is opened for several city-wide positions and half the Board of Aldermen but I guess more than a year and half is need to update a couple of sentences of a web site. Is anyone awake over there?

What information I found was via searches on STL Today. As I indicated above, the filing period is November 29th through January 7th. The primary is March 8th and the general election is April 5th. As nearly every candidate in St. Louis is a Democrat, the general election is often a formality. I did find more about the qualifications to be alderman on the City’s web site: “To become an Alderman one must be a registered voter and at least twenty-five years of age. Before their respective elections he or she must have been a United States citizen for at least five years, three years a resident of the city and one year a resident of the ward from which elected.” So most likely you are qualified to run for alderman from your ward. The salary is $21K per year plus some additional for allowable expenses.

Alderman are often unopposed in their wards – but I’d like to see that change this election cycle. Why should persons that can potentially have such an impact on the future of St. Louis skate through unopposed? At the very least, they should be posed questions and have to take a stand on something. To this end, I’m working on a series of urban planning related questions which I will pose, in written form, to all aldermanic candidates following the January 7th filing deadline. The questions will relate to sprawl, zoning code changes, views on demolition vs. preservation, etc… I will post all answers, if any, received back from the candidates. If you have ideas for questions, related to urban planning/design, please let me know via the comments section below.

I have no knowledge which aldermen will seek additional terms – we will know soon enough. But, if you are unhappy with your alderman I urge you to consider running for office or at least letting your alderman know why you are not happy. For example, if you live in the 7th Ward (downtown) and you are not happy about the demolition of the Century Building then letting Phyllis Young know why could be helpful. If Alderwoman Young doesn’t run again then asking the candidate(s) for that Ward what they think of the Century demolition might be a good way to determine who you end up supporting. [BTW, If you support the demolition of the Century then, well, just leave the city and go out to the ‘burbs where you really want to be.]

The following Wards will hold elections this Spring:
• Ward 1 – Irene J. Smith
• Ward 3 – Freeman M. Bosley, Sr.
• Ward 5 – April Ford-Griffin
• Ward 7 – Phyllis Young
• Ward 9 – Kenneth Ortmann
• Ward 11 – Matt Villa
• Ward 13 Alfred Wessels, Jr.
• Ward 15 – Jennifer Florida
• Ward 17 – Joseph D. Roddy
• Ward 19 – Michael McMillan
• Ward 21 – Bennice Jones King
• Ward 23 – Kathleen Hanrahan
• Ward 25 – Dorothy Kirner
• Ward 27 – Gregory Carter

Unsure of your ward? If so, click here to find out.

Like the bigger races for state & national leaders, we have an obligation to become involved and participate in the process. The next four years will be important to the City of St. Louis. We have a chance to make a difference relating to urban St. Louis. Get involved.

Update: 11/28 @ noon – check out the current issue of the Arch City Chronicle at an enlightened news stand near you for excellent coverage of the upcoming aldermanic race courtesy of Will Winter & Dave Drebes.