Absentee ballots available at clerk and recorder's office

The Hill County Clerk and Recorder’s Office has reminded Hill County residents that absentee ballots are available for the 2016 federal primary election.

People who want to vote absentee in the June 7 primary must request a ballot at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office on the main floor of the Hill County Courthouse or vote early at the office after presenting valid identification.

To request to have a ballot mailed to them, people must make the request in writing, state the date of birth of the voter and sign the request. It must list the name of the person designated to pick up the ballot or the address to which it should be mailed.

No person may request a ballot for another person. A voter may designate someone to pick up the ballot for them but must sign their own absentee ballot request.

Absentee balloting and late registration will close at noon Monday, June 6. At that time, the ballots and election supplies at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office will be delivered to the polling places in the county in preparation for the opening of the polls Election Day, Tuesday, June 7.

In a press release, the Clerk and Recorder’s Office urged people who need to use absentee balloting to give plenty of time for requesting, voting and returning the ballots. Ballots must be received at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office no later than 8 p.m. June 7 to be counted in the primary election.

College students, people in the military people who are or will be out of the county temporarily are urged to request as early as possible to ensure that the ballot will have sufficient time to be sent out, voted on and returned for counting, the release says..

Signed written absentee ballot requests can be sent to the Hill County Clerk and Recorder, 315 4th Street, Havre, MT, 59501 or faxed to 406-265-2445.