Presidential Election, 5 November 2024

Floods, November 2024 

On 4–5 November 2024, Missouri saw 20 centimeters of rain which led to flash flooding across the state. The floods caused creeks to rise, creating unsafe road conditions and causing and five deaths (Salter 2024). At least 30 roads were closed, and residents were advised to stay away from the Iron Mountain Lake as the levee was at risk of failing (Genetti 2024). 

Impact on the electoral process  

The flash flooding on election day caused the death of two poll workers whose vehicle was swept away (Salter 2024). The shutting down of roads caused one polling station in Brookdale Farms to be closed; voters were redirected to the county’s administration building. A power outage was reported in a polling station in St. Louis County following flood damage to the electric grid (Genetti 2024). 

Voter turnout in Missouri was 67 per cent, below election officials’ expectations of between 70 and 75 per cent. The Secretary of State acknowledged the disruptions following the floods and stated that procedures to withstand extreme weather need to be further developed and implemented, as no severe weather election plan currently exists (Falcon 2024). Turnout in 2020 had been 70.07 per cent (Missouri 2020).