Politics & Government

St. Louis City Election Results — Prop P Has Passed

Proposition P has passed with 59.8 percent of the vote, and Democrat Lisa Middlebrook has won in Ward 2.

ST. LOUIS, MO — Voters went to the polls today to decide whether to approve Proposition P, a half-cent sales tax giving police and firefighters a pay raise. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, those in favor of the tax hike have prevailed with 59.8 percent of the vote. Proponents of Prop P, including the mayor, said the measure was necessary for the city to remain competitive with the county, which passed a similar one over the summer. Critics said it was wrong to reward police when allegations of excessive force and misconduct hang over the force, and that the sales tax will fall disproportionately on lower-income residents. It was unclear what would have happened if Prop P didn't pass; city officials said there was no "Plan B."

The city has also selected Democrat Lisa Middlebrook to represent the Second Ward. She won with 49.7 percent of the vote. Independent Jasmine Turnage came in second with 34.5 percent, followed by Green Party candidate Elston McCowan with 15.8 percent.

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