Surrogates for aldermen Bennice Jones King, Phyllis Young and April Ford Griffin wait at the Elections Board
After weeks of waiting, the candidates and their surrogates who have been camped out at the Board of Elections can finally go home this afternoon.
Today marks the close of the anachronistic St. Louis election-year ritual where proxies for those seeking city office keep vigil at election headquarters to secure premium ballot location.
Some have been in line every weekday since the beginning of the month to guarantee the marginal advantage of being listed above the opposition on the March primary ballot.
Most election authorities — like the Missouri Secretary of State — have long converted to a lottery system to determine ballot order.
On Friday afternoon, there were about a dozen place holders for candidates including Mayor Francis Slay and aldermen Phyllis Young, Quincy Troupe, Bennice Jones King, Ken Ortmann and April Ford-Griffin. Challengers in the 3rd, 23rd and 25th wards were also represented.
Come Monday at 8 .m., that’s when the real fun begins — filing opens for comptroller, mayor and half the Board of Aldermen.