On April 6, St. Louis County residents get to decide on a tax increase that will provide $75 million annually to expand and operate the Metro system, which includes Metro bus, MetroLink light rail and Call-A-Ride services.
In 1997, St. Louis City voters passed a similar tax, but it will not take effect unless county voters approve the April 6 measure. The city sales tax increase would raise another $8 million for Metro.
In order to have a voice on this important issue, students, faculty and staff must be registered to vote in Missouri by Wednesday, March 10. As this falls during spring break, students are encouraged to register before leaving campus for the break.
A student-led effort to promote education around this initiative is under way, and questions or volunteer interest may be directed to wu.propA@gmail.com.
If a student has moved from his or her residence since the last election, a new Missouri voter registration form must be filled out with the new address — even if that move has been across campus or into a different residence house.
If a new voter registration form with a new address is not filled out, students only will be allowed to vote provisionally in the April election, which means a vote is cast “provisionally” until election officials can verify the voter’s eligibility to vote in the particular precinct at that election.
To download a voter registration form, visit sos.mo.gov/elections/s_default.asp?id=voter.
Students also may visit the Gephardt Institute for Public Service during office hours from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday to register. Bring photo identification to Umrath Hall, Room 268. It is advised students call in advance to ensure that someone is available at (314) 935-9104.
All eligible voters should receive in the mail a postcard from the St. Louis County election board that lists their polling place.
Polling locations on or near the university for the April 6 election include:
- Ursa’s Lounge — for residents of the South 40
- Our Lady of Lourdes School, 7157 Northmoor — for residents of fraternities (Upper and Lower Row), Millbrook (Regular and East), Village House, and Lopata House
- The Parkview Towers, 701 Westgate Ave., or 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave. — for residents in University City around Westgate
- Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6600 Washington Ave. — for Greenway and University Drive (6607, 6627, 6633, 6639, 6649, 6645, 6801, 6811 Washington Ave.)
- Captain School, 6345 Northwood Ave. — for residents of the DeMun neighborhood.
For more election information, visit co.st-louis.mo.us/ELECTIONS/.
Registration and polling place location can be verified at mcvr.mo.gov/voterlookup/.
For more information, visit gephardtinstitute@wustl.edu.