St. Charles County voters could decide on school-related issues in November instead of April.
Near the end of the 2026 legislative session, the Missouri House narrowly passed legislation that moves elections for school boards, bond issues and tax increases from April to November of even-numbered years. It now awaits Gov. Mike Kehoe's signature.
The bill increases the terms for St. Charles County school board members from three years to four years. It also allows candidates to place political affiliation next to their name, though that wouldn't be mandatory.
During an episode of "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air," state Rep. Richard West, R-Wentzville, said the bill could bolster participation in important education-related races. He noted that people often don't turn out to vote in April elections.
"I'm a huge transparency person," West said. "I believe more voter turnout is better if we're going to raise our taxes and elect people in our school boards, which are very important things."
The bill only affects races in St. Charles County. West said he wanted it to apply to all counties, but ran into opposition in the Missouri Senate.
"The majority of my county, not to mention my district, supports this," West said.
The bill only passed by one vote in the House amid criticism that, among other things, school-related contests in November could get lost among high-profile statewide issues and state legislative races.
West said that the close vote on the bill shows not all Republicans are in lockstep when it comes to education policy.
"Maybe their superintendent came to them and said: 'Look, we're a big supporter of everything that goes on in this county or schools. We would recommend that you not vote for it,'" West said. "And if that's your district and you feel you don't need to vote for it, then so be it."
The legislation also passed after self-described conservative school board candidates lost April elections, including in the Francis Howell School District. But West noted he's been pushing this idea for five years — including during a time when people aligned with his political philosophy were winning seats on school boards.
"This wasn't as a result of anybody losing any school board race," West said. "If I have 40% of the people turn out, and no matter who gets elected, I just think that's better for the people of St. Charles County."
"St. Louis on the Air" brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha and Alex Heuer. Layla Halilbasicis our production assistant. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr.
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