Confluence - Building Trust in St. Louis Local Elections

Project Objective:

Creating and building initiatives to promote voter participation and trust in elections in the St. Louis region by partnering with local election administrators on research, voter access, and education. The Confluence project launched in the St. Louis region, focused on three initiatives: promoting the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) polling location, media promotion of voting rules and election integrity, and applied election research and reporting.

Voter Education Series

Illustration of a person voting

St. Louis County Vote Anywhere

Information about the "vote anywhere" policy in St. Louis County, MO elections.

Illustration of a polling location

UMSL Polling Place

Provides hours and directions for UMSL polling place for voting in the 2022 election.

Illustration of the state of Missouri

Changes to MO Voting Laws

Explains changes to Missouri voting laws in 2022 enacted by the New Election Law.

St. Louis skyline illustration

Approval Voting in St. Louis

Explains the two-part election system called "approval voting" passed in November 2020. 

"I Voted Today" sticker against UMSL background

Media Coverage

UMSL Daily: Millennium Student Center to serve as polling place for primary, general elections

Residents of St. Louis County were able to cast their votes on the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus in both the primary and general elections in 2022. 

Women in Politics panel

UMSL Daily: Women in Politics Panel returns to UMSL, featuring local and statewide leaders

Throughout the hour, the panelists shared what motivated them to run for office, challenges they have faced in their careers, their biggest legislative successes, their current priorities and advice for young people interested in politics.

Polling location with "vote here" sign

Summary of research on vote anywhere policies in St. Louis County and Fresno County, California

We seek to understand the implementation of vote centers in two counties, Fresno County, California, and St. Louis County, Missouri, during the pandemic. These cases offer two very different local contexts in terms of state requirements and oversight.

Confluence

Chapter Spotlight: Confluence SSN Highlights State Election Changes

Mindful of the need to keep their St. Louis community informed of changes in election law, Confluence SSN's election program project leaders have been hard at work ensuring that their election program increases voter education and encourages voter turnout. 

Project Leaders

University of Illinois at Chicago
clendenen headshot

Clendenen is a Phd Candidate in Comparative Politics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Clendenen's research focuses on the politics of material heritage. Overarching themes of Clendenen's writings include the development of national identities in the rural-urban divide. 

University of Missouri-St. Louis
David Kimball

Kimball is Professor and Interim Chair of the Political Science department at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and co-leader of the Confluence SSN chapter. His research examines election administration, voting behavior, public opinion, and interest groups in the United States. He has participated as an expert in several court cases related to election administration, voting rights, and redistricting.

University of Missouri-St. Louis
Manion Headshot

Manion is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Affiliate Faculty Member in Gender Studies at the University of Missouri-St.Louis. Manion's research focuses on the impact of policy on issues of equity, particularly in areas of education and elections. Her studies examine the impact of 4-day weeks on Missouri school districts, perceptions of voter fraud and election reform, and other policy matters.