People urged to drop ballots off before Tuesday deadline

Havre Daily News staff

People are being reminded that election offices have to receive ballots in the mail-in primary election by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day, for the ballots to be counted.

A state district judge had ruled to extend the deadline, but the Montana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the deadline still is Election Day.

After the state of emergency was declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary election was declared a mail-ballot only election. Polling places will not be open Tuesday, although in-person services are available at the election offices.

Ballots must be received by the deadline. Mailed ballots postmarked before the deadline but not received until after Tuesday will not be counted.

Election administrators say that, this close to Election Day, dropping the ballots off at the local clerk and recorders office is highly advised rather than putting them in the mail.

People who are not registered must appear in person in the clerk and recorder’s office to register and obtain a ballot. Late registration ends at noon Monday.

Late registration resumes Tuesday morning. People can go to the clerk and recorder’s office between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. to register and vote.

For more information and to check their voting status, people can go to https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo .