Graphic by filo via Getty Images
The Citizens Agenda will only represent the people if we hear from you.
Here’s a sobering fact: In less than 60 days, St. Louis residents will cast a ballot for mayor. The city’s primary is March 4 and the general election is April 8.
And we need your help. SLM is teaming up with Nine PBS to cover the election in a new way. Drawing on The Citizens Agenda, a national model for creating more responsive, inclusive, and voter-focused news coverage, we’re devoting this week to getting your thoughts on what the mayoral candidates should be focused on, and why? We’ll use your answers to craft an agenda that guides one-on-one conversations with the candidates, news stories, and a special that airs on Nine PBS.
We encourage you to join us at one of four listening sessions taking place this week. There are options both in person and via Zoom. You can also provide written thoughts via ninepbs.org/elections or email me at [email protected] (to ensure your email makes it to the right place, please use the subject line “Citizens Agenda”).
Why It Matters: As the biggest city in the metro area and the region’s economic engine, what happens in St. Louis has an impact far beyond its 61.74 square miles. As incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones squares off with Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler, Alderwoman Cara Spencer, and businessman Andrew Jones, it’s critical that we focus our coverage—and their thoughts—on the issues that truly matter to the city’s future, not just the drumbeat of the loudest online voices.
What’s Next: We will need to hear from you soon if you want to be a part of the conversation. After this week’s sessions wrap up, we’ll be working to compile a list of the issues that people care about the most. That will include feedback from the group sessions as well as one-on-one conversations, responses we receive by email, and responses submitted through our Citizens Agenda portal.
The Nine PBS special will air Feb. 17, with deeper coverage of these issues before and after on SLM’s website as well as social media channels.
