The 5th ward in St. Louis is getting a lot of attention on Election Day, primarily because the name of one of the candidates is displayed prominently inside a voting location.
Alderwoman Michelle Hutchings-Medina, who is running for board of alderman, alleges her opponent Tammika Hubbard has an unfair advantage. Hubbard's father manages the building that houses the polling center, the Jonas Hubbard Jr. Family Support Center in Carr Square in north city. Hubbard's name can be seen hanging above the voting booths.
Medina spoke with KTRS's McGraw Milhaven on the Big 550 just after the polls opened and she says other questionable tactics are being employed as well.
"They have a handicap-accessible ramp in front of the building where Sr. Hubbard has parked his van in front of it. The police have asked them to move it and they told police they'd have to wait," Hubbard said. "It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. It's definitely something that has to be looked into. The stories I hear out here on the street about this family and how they operate in terms of corruption and intimidation...I think it's unconscionable that the board of elections that their job that voters have a fair experience and this clearly does not meet the bill there."
Gary Stoff, the republican director at the St. Louis Board of Elections tells KTRS' Michael Golde he's spoken with Hutchings-Medina on several occasions and "the main issue is making sure everyone is playing by the same rules, which they are."
When Stoff was asked if any campaign laws were being violated, he replied after an extended pause, "If you're talking about the sign on the wall, I would say no."
