Election administrator gives mail-in ballot information

Press release

Hill County will be conducting the June 2 Federal Primary Election as an all-mail ballot election.

With the spread and concerns over COVID-19 and per the directives issued by the governor’s office, people and the government have an obligation, have a duty to protect election judges and electors. This means that people who are an active or provisionally registered voter in Hill County will be mailed a ballot. Ballots will be mailed May 8. Polling places will not be open Election Day.

Anyone who is not registered or needs to update their voter information and should mail a voter registration card to the Hill County Clerk and Recorders Office, 315 Fourth Street, Havre, MT, 59501.

People may call the office at 406-400-2321 or visit My Voter Page at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo to make sure they are registered at their current address.

Electors may still appear in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office to register, although its staff members say they strongly encourage people to mail in their voter registration card if possible.

“We are taking steps to ensure the safety of our staff and community,” the office staff members said in a press release. “We encourage voters to register early and verify their registration information now as this will help eliminate long lines.”

Alternative voting office

The Hill County Election Administrator and the Chippewa Cree Tribe has agreed to close the satellite election office on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation for the Federal Primary Election for the safety of the community and staff.

BIPA Forms

The Ballot Interference Prevention Act, LR-129, which was passed by Montana Voters in the November 2018 election will be in effect. This form will be used when someone delivers a ballot for another elector pursuant to the Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act — MCA 13-35-701. Only a caregiver, family member, household member or acquaintance is authorized to collect a voter’s ballot and may not collect and convey more than six ballots per election. A violation of a provision of 13-35 part 7 is punishable by a fine of $500 for each ballot unlawfully collected.

Here are some tips and recommendations for returning primary election ballots.

• Mail the ballot. Per Gov. Steve Bullock’s Executive Directive 2-2020 and 3-2020, no postage is necessary to mail ballots. People who are using this option are recommended to mail their ballot one week prior to the election to guarantee the ballot will be counted.

• People should have the BIPA form completed before they arrive at the courthouse. A form will be printed on the back of instructions when people receive their ballot.

• People do not complete this form to return their own ballot.

“We understand these are some big changes,” the Clerk and Recorder’s staff members said in the release. “We appreciate your efforts to help verify your correct address and registering to vote early. Remember Election day is June 2, 2020, and will be a mail ballot election.”

People with any questions or concerns can call the Hill County Clerk and Recorder’s Office at 406-400-2323.