SUMMARY: As Election Day approaches, Missouri experiences a surge in early voting, particularly in St. Louis County, where nearly 99,000 voters have already cast ballots. The no excuse in-person absentee voting has attracted large crowds; over 20,000 voted in one day recently. Neighboring Charles County reports nearly 26,000 early voters, with St. Louis City seeing more than 22,800 participants. Election officials note unprecedented interest and predict voter turnout could match or exceed the record 79% from 2020. With a week remaining, the enthusiasm for early voting is significantly higher than in previous elections.

From now through November 4, registered voters all across Missouri can cast their ballots without having to give any kind of reason, different from how it was done during traditional absentee voting.

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You’ve heard the idea of paying it forward – doing something selfless to benefit someone else? That’s what Laila Anderson wants to do; she’s wishing it forward.

“My wish was to take some friends,” she said. “People from the hospital that are going through challenging battles similar to mine and have them experience a Blues game like once in a lifetime.”

Anderson was the inspirational Blues fan who supported the team to their 2019 Stanley Cup. She was diagnosed in 2018 with HLH, a rare auto immune disease.

“Growing up a big Blues fan and being able to join my favorite team on their biggest moment in their history was insane,” Anderson said. “Being in the hospital, they just really pulled me back together and helped me push through. And I think if I can just gift a small piece of that to someone else in the same situation, then I’ve done my part.”

As the Blues gave her hope, she begat that in return to the team. Wanting to wish it forward to share her hope and joy, Laila’s wish to take five other friends from St. Louis Children‘s Hospital to the St. Louis Blues game on Nov. 19.

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SUMMARY: One week remains until election day, and early voting is seeing a significant turnout. Chris Regnier reports from St. Louis County, where polls opened today at 8 AM for no-excuse absentee voting. Since last Tuesday, nearly 99,000 voters have participated, including over 20,000 who voted yesterday alone. St. Louis County officials predict that early voting numbers may exceed those from the 2020 election. Despite long lines and increased demand, election officials are prepared with extra staffing. Voters must bring a photo ID, as provisional ballots are not allowed during the early voting period, which runs until November 4.

FOX 2’s Chris Regnier travels to the St. Louis County Election Board Headquarters in St. Ann to take a look at the lines to vote and he gets the opportunity to speak with St. Louis County Republican Director of Elections Rick Stream, who talks about how they have been able to manage the large turnout.

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