Early Voting Goes on Following St. Charles County Court Hearing

Registered voters in St. Charles County can continue casting their ballots before election day with no disruptions after a judge today dismissed a plaintiff's request for a halt in voting to settle a dispute on poll watchers.

Judge Dwayne A. Johnson dismissed the request for a temporary restraining order, ruling that the plaintiff's filing did not comply with state rules for making such a request.

At issue in the case is whether state law allows for poll watchers during the absentee voting period-as the plaintiff had argued-or whether it allows for poll watchers only on election day, as County Director of Elections Kurt Bahr had asserted.

"We are happy that St. Charles County voters will not have to worry about their ability to vote during the absentee period," says County Director of Elections Kurt Bahr. "Election challengers from both political parties will be present at several polling locations on election day as state law allows. We hope that the legislature can provide clarity on this issue during their next session."

Early voting continues at two locations:

• Election Authority office (397 Turner Blvd, St. Peters)
  8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2
  8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 4
  Curbside voting available.
• Element Church (100 Mall Parkway, Wentzville)
  9 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1 and Monday, Nov. 4
  Curbside voting not available.

Voters waiting until Election Day to cast their vote can do so at their assigned polling place from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5. The Election Authority is also open for voting during those hours for any registered voter in the county.