St. Louis Board of Aldermen

Approval voting means both candidates will advance to the November general election. The Sept. 13 primary is also the first election since a new state law took effect requiring a state-issued photo ID to vote.

Five locations are already open for two weeks of early voting. Eleven more polling places will open on Sept. 13. Election officials say the setup is possible because of new technology that prints ballots on demand.

Lewis Reed and Jeffrey Boyd both admitted to multiple felonies connected to a scheme in which they accepted cash, campaign contributions and other gifts from a developer in exchange for helping him get incentives.

A second former alderman, Jeffrey Boyd, also says he will not file any motions ahead of trial. An attorney for Boyd would not clarify whether that meant his client had also reached a deal.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed suit, saying the proposal violates a state law banning the use of public funds to assist with abortions, which are illegal in Missouri except to save the life of the mother.

Work on the changes began last May, when aldermen approved the Detention Facilities Oversight Board. But supporters will have to carefully count votes, and lobby their colleagues, to send it to the mayor on Friday.

The bill needs one more vote to get to the desk of Mayor Tishaura Jones, who is prepared to sign it, despite a promised lawsuit by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

The measure set to be introduced Friday by 8th Ward Alderwoman Annie Rice and others sets up a Reproductive Equity Fund and uses $1.75 million in federal coronavirus relief funds as seed money.

St. Louis last did a comprehensive review of its charter in 1949. Recent changes have been more piecemeal.

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen is expected to vote Thursday to send the measures to Mayor Tishaura Jones. If that happens, it will be the first time the board has approved a budget since 2019.