Area counties get set for all-mail ballots in primary election

Editor’s note: This corrects that the county clerk and recorders are the election administrators and ballots must be returned to the county clerk and recorder offices.

As authorized by a directive from Gov. Steve Bullock intended to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus 2019 and the illness it causes, COVID-19, Blaine, Chouteau, Hill and Liberty counties all are holding all-mail elections for Montana’s primary elections scheduled for June 2.

“This is about protecting Montanans’ right to vote at a time we face unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bullock said when announcing the directive March 25. “Locally elected officials best understand the voting needs of their communities, and taking this action now ensures they will have the time to make the right decisions for their localities. I feel confident we can protect both the public’s health and the right to vote with this direction.”

“I am in full support of Governor Bullock’s directive of providing counties the option to conduct our June 2 primary by mail,” Montana Speaker of the House Greg Hertz, R-Polson, said. “This directive allows counties to choose what is best for their voters and election staff during this state of emergency.”

Ballots will be mailed no later than May 8 to all registered active voters in the county, which must be returned to the local election administrator — the county clerk and recorder — by 8 p.m. June 2.

Ballots must be received by that time, not postmarked — a ballot postmarked June 2 but not received until later will not be counted.

Residents can call their local clerk and recorder to check their voter status and what mailing address is registered for them, or can find that information on the Montana Secretary of State’s My Voter Page at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo .

People can call their clerks and recorders at:

Blaine County, 357-3240

Chouteau County, 622-5151

Hill County, 400-2412

Liberty County, 759-5365