Hill County Commission approves mail ballots

In a surprise move, the Hill County Commission this afternoon reconvened its business meeting from this morning, with about a half-hour notice, then approved in a split vote Hill County using mail ballots for the Nov. 3 election.

Commissioner Diane McLean voted against the mail ballot this afternoon, as she did last Thursday.

Commissioner Mike Wendland again voted for the mail ballot election, as he did last week, and Commissioner Mark Peterson reversed his vote from last week.

Peterson voted for the mail ballot election this afternoon, approving the measure in a 2-1 vote.

Gov. Steve Bullock in a directive authorized counties using mail ballots in the November election to allow people to avoid exposing themselves to the virus that causes COVID-19. Counties still must provide polling places for people who want to vote in person.

The commissioners at their weekly business meeting this morning invited members of the public to express their opinions on matter of mail-in ballots.

The meeting was adjourned just before noon, but this afternoon Peterson made a motion to re-open the meeting around 2:20 p.m. After the meeting resumed he made a motion to re-open last week’s resolution for another vote.

McLean seconded both motions.

Peterson said he still believes based on the responses he’s had over the last week that a majority of residents of Hill County do not want a mail-in ballot. However, after considering information provided to him by the Hill County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, in particular Deputy Election Administrator Kaci Hipple, he changed his mind about the matter.

He said this change had nothing to do with petition recently created by State Rep. D-Havre Jacob Bachmeier.

Watch for more in Friday's edition of The Havre Daily News.