ST. LOUIS — Polls have closed across Missouri for today’s general municipal election, and several key races are now in the process of being decided.
The St. Louis City mayoral race, one of the most closely watched contests, features a rematch between Mayor Tishaura Jones and 8th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer. Jones, seeking a second term, narrowly defeated Spencer in 2021, but Spencer won the March primary by a large margin and was leading in recent polls.
The race for city comptroller is also on the ballot, with longtime incumbent Darlene Green facing State Representative Donna Baringer. Baringer had a slight lead in the polls heading into election day.
Voters are choosing four contested Board of Aldermen seats and three open positions on the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education, a race shaped by recent controversy over student transportation, leadership turnover, and district finances.
In the St. Louis Public Schools board race, president Toni Cousins is the only incumbent among 12 candidates vying for three seats. The district is recovering from a challenging year marked by the firing of a superintendent and a state audit into questionable spending.
St. Louis County voters are deciding whether the county council should have the power to fire department heads, a move that has sparked tension between County Executive Sam Page and the council. Supporters say it will increase accountability, while Page argues it could undermine department heads’ ability to lead effectively. If approved, legal challenges are expected.