Whose Voices Aren’t Getting Heard?

According to the City Health Dashboard, St. Joseph had an estimated 54% of its eligible population vote in the 2020 General Election, compared to an average of 64.9% across the Dashboard’s cities.  Certain neighborhoods, especially near downtown and south, had voting percentages lower than 35%.  What accounts for this low turn-out? One factor might be access to polling places, especially for those who may have difficulty finding transportation. What might be done to help our neighbors have their voices heard? 

This year Missouri allows for no-excuse early voting which started October 22, 2024. This allows for more options for voters as to when they can get to the polls.  In Buchanan County, those wishing to vote early can vote at the County Clerk’s Office, 411 Jules Street, Room 121. Open M – F 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Check with your neighbors and other community members you know. If someone needs a ride, help them get to the polls! Churches and community organizations could also consider matching drivers and those needing rides using Google forms.  If you have other ideas to share, put them in the comments below!

ID 331490315 | Voting © Iryna Kulinchyk | Dreamstime.com