The Gateway

Where do absentee and mail-in ballots go once they are turned in? The logistics for Missouri election authorities slightly differ. But there are safeguards to make sure your vote is counted.. We'll go through the process from start to finish.

Phelps County has been a reliable stronghold for Republicans for decades, but there have been more progressive approaches recently in Rolla. Those signs of potential change include efforts to decriminalize marijuana and Black Lives Matter protests.

Republican incumbent Mike Parson is stating his case to stay in the Governor’s office. He’s been the state’s chief executive since Eric Greitens resigned in 2018. Parson is expected to defeat state Auditor Nicole Galloway on Election Day, although not by as big a margin as previously anticipated.

Republican incumbent Rodney Davis faces a tough challenge from Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Metro East. Londrigan lost to Davis by about 2,000 votes in 2018. This year's tight race is attracting national attention and money.

Illinois residents will decide on November 3 if the state constitution should be changed to replace the current flat tax with a graduated system, similar to federal income taxes.

Voters in St. Louis will have a chance next month to change how most city officials are elected. They also will decide whether to raise property taxes to support early childhood education.

Members of the St. Louis Ballet are among the first troupes in the region to perform together during the pandemic. Artistic Director Gen Horiuchi composed a series of vignettes responding to the outbreak and the performance will stream online starting this weekend.

Fatigue stemming from President Trump’s administration could spur realignment in traditionally Republican parts of St. Louis County. The performance by Democrats in next month’s election could be an indication of the party’s future in Missouri.

It’s halfway through the fall semester and many St. Louis area students are just now trickling back into classrooms. Thousands are still learning from home. Schools in most of Europe have been open for a while. St. Louis Public Radio’s Ryan Delaney has that story from Germany.

Andrea Henderson and Marissanne Lewis-Thompson explain the concerns about intimidation that voters of color have with the 2020 election.

Agriculture policy is not getting much attention in the run up to the presidential election. But farmers are looking closely at what they might be able to expect from four more years of Donald Trump versus a Joe Biden administration. But there aren't a lot of solid answers, and any difference may not matter.

Republican state legislators are leading an effort to repeal Clean Missouri and return redistricting to a commission or the courts. Supporters want to keep the plan approved by voters which places the process under a non-partisan state demographer.

New St. Louis County jail chief Doug Burris has been in charge for about three weeks. He has taken the job during a time of intense scrutiny. There have been several inmate deaths and harassment allegations against the former jail director.

Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway has always faced an uphill battle for governor against Republican incumbent Mike Parson. But the race now appears closer than expected. Parson’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and less support for President Trump in Missouri have given Galloway an opening.

The longtime director of the St. Louis Art Museum says more needs to be done to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the museum world. Brent Benjamin is also the president of the Association of Art Museum Directors. He is planning to retire in mid-2021.

Nearly 1,800 nursing home residents in St. Louis County have contracted the coronavirus and more than 400 have died. Some families say staff shortages, which existed before the pandemic, have worsened in recent months and are putting their loved ones at risk.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is playing small-group concerts for limited audiences during the pandemic. The sites for the pop-up shows include senior living facilities and people’s front porches.

Small business owners in St. Louis have faced shutdowns, restrictions, and fewer customers during the pandemic. And there’s still no end in sight. That has many wondering if they should stay open.

St Louis city and county have hired dozens of contact tracers to track down people who have come into contact with those who have tested positive for coronavirus. But there are still staffing shortages, along with a lack of cooperation and a sense of mistrust from the public.

St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc has a new installation of paintings hanging at the former Greyhound Station on Cass Avenue. The colorful artwork of black lives is inspired by the recent protests against police violence.

Many parents are debating if their children should trick-or-treat during the pandemic. Some are coming up with alternatives, including leaving goodie bags at the end of driveways instead of the traditional ringing of doorbells on Halloween night.

Voters in Missouri will decide next month whether to place term limits on more state offices. They already exist for the Governor and Treasurer. Some believe they help reduce the number of career politicians. Others say they could do the opposite.

Some young Black people are preparing to vote in their very first presidential election. We’ll hear some of their thoughts on why it’s important to go to the polls.

MIssouri S&T students are foregoing their massive job fair this year in favor of a COVID-safe virtual option. But it's happening as some S&T researchers have found employers have a lower opinion of candidates who interview online instead of in person.

Community-based organizations in the Metro East are working to get residents in traditionally hard-to-count communities included in the Census before the tally ends. They’re employing different tactics to engage with residents who do not want to take part.