What is the Board of Freeholders?

The city of St. Louis broke away from St. Louis County in 1876, but the Missouri Constitution provides a way for the city and county to rejoin.

If enough voters in the city and county submit a signed petition, they can force the creation of a Board of Freeholders to study changes to the city and county governance.

In a process led by the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis, that petition was certified by election officials on Sept. 23.

Under the constitution, the mayor and county executive each nominate nine people, and the governor one, for a total of 19. The city and county nominees are subject to confirmation by the Board of Aldermen and County Council.

The constitution says the appointment of the board must be completed within 30 days.