St. Louis County Government: County Executive Page Asks Civil Service Commission To Make General Election Day A Holiday For County Employees

Press release from the St. Louis County Government:

March 3, 2022

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (March 3, 2022) - County Executive Dr. Sam Page has asked the Civil Service Commission to approve the day of the General Election as a holiday for County employees.

“Across the country, efforts are vigorously under way to undo or impede the democratic process of casting a ballot,” said County Executive Page. “Making it harder to cast a ballot undermines democracy and discriminates against the poor and minorities. In St. Louis County, we have an opportunity to remove a barrier that may prevent voters from getting to the polls.”

General elections occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every even numbered year.

Currently, County employees can take up to three hours off with pay on any day an election is held to go to the polls. General Elections traditionally have the highest turnout when Presidential and Congressional races are on the ballot. Creating General Election Day as a holiday provides more flexibility for County employees to get to the polls.

“As a state, we should be working to create a system that makes voting easier, not harder,” Page said. “That’s why I’m encouraging Gov. Parson to follow St. Louis County in making General Election Day a state holiday as well. Nineteen states in the U.S. observe General Election Day as a holiday.”

This press release was produced by the St. Louis County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.