Election Day 2020 is Next Tuesday

Election Day 2020 is less than a week away. Tuesday, Nov. 3, is the final day of this year’s general election. This year, Valley County is conducting the election entirely by mail, falling in line with the majority of the state, to observe health and safety concerns amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Election ballots for this year’s general election needed to be postmarked by Oct. 26, which was also the final day to register to vote, aside from in-person registration which will be available, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Clerk and Recorder’s Office inside the Valley County Courthouse is currently open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for in-person voting and ballot drop-off. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Clerk and Recorder’s Office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the same. All other offices in the facility will be closed.

For voter information, including registration status and address to sample ballots and directions to the local election office, visit the Montana Secretary of State website at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/. Once a voter is logged into the site, they can verify their voter registration status and track their ballot status. The site includes directions on how voters can address undeliverable and/or rejected ballots. Voters are encouraged to contact their local elections office with any further questions. In Valley County, contact the Clerk and Recorder’s Office inside the Valley County Courthouse, 501 Court Square, 406-228-6220.

The Secretary of State’s website includes an Elections and Voter Services section, https://sosmt.gov/Elections/, which includes links to lists of candidates at the district, state and federal levels, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

Mail ballots in Valley County include a Mail Ballot Voting Instructions - General Election Ballot sheet which details the steps necessary to ensure a voter’s ballot will not be rejected. Voters must use a blue or black pen to fill out their ballot. Ballots must be sealed in the included ballot secrecy envelope. Voters must sign the Voter’s Affirmation on the return mailing envelope. The secrecy envelope should then be sealed inside the return mailing envelope. At this time, return the ballot in person to the county elections office to ensure it is accepted in time. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

As of Monday, Oct. 26, Valley County has received 2,663 ballots of 4,848 mailed out, a return rate of 54.9 percent. Statewide, 369,833 of 647,217 ballots have been returned, a 57 percent return rate. The Valley County numbers are up over 800 ballots since Oct. 20. According to Elect Project, Montana ranked in the Top 10 of all states for early voting turnout as of Oct. 20 at 40.2 percent.

Locally, Paul Tweten is running unopposed for County Commissioner, District 1. Shelley Bryan is running unopposed for Clerk of the District Court. Incumbents Mike Lang and Casey Knudsen are running unopposed for their state seats, State Senator District 17 and State Representative District 33 respectively.

In the Federal level races, Jo Jorgensen and Jeremy “Spike” Cohen are on the ballot as Libertarian candidates for President and Vice President, respectively. Donald Trump is the Republican candidate for President with Mike Pence on the ticket as his Vice Presidential running mate. Joseph R. Biden and Kamala D. Harris are the Democratic nominees for President and Vice President, respectively. Steve Daines (R) and Steve Bullock (D) are facing off for the open Montana Senate Seat. Democrat Kathleen Williams is facing Republican Matt Rosendale for Montana’s lone Representative seat.

On the State level, Democrats Mike Cooney and Casey Schreiner, Republicans Greg Gianforte and Kristen Juras and Libertarians Lyman Bishop and John Nesper are competing for Governor and Lietenant Governor. The Secretary of State races pits Democrat Bryce Bennett against Republican Christi Jacobson. Austin Knudsen (R) is up against Raph Graybill (D) for Attorney General. The State Auditor position is sought by Shane A Morigeau (D), Roger Roots (L) and Troy Downing (R). Kevin Leatherbarrow (L), Melissa Romano (D) and Elsie Arntzen are on the ballot for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. In a nonpartisan race, Laurie McKinnon and Mike Black are candidates for Supreme Court Justice #5. Judge Jim She, on a yes-or-no vote, is up to retain his seat as Supreme Court Justice #6.

There are six ballots issues up for vote this year. Locally, the City of Glasgow is seeking a vote on Glasgow Ordinance No. 971, which would allow six domestic chicken hens within the incorporated Glasgow City limits. Constitutional Amendment No. 46 “modifies the state constitution to specify proposed petitions for constitutional amendments from the people must be signed by at least 10 percent of the qualified electors in two-fifths of the legislative districts.” Constitutional Amendment No. 47 “modifies the state constitution to specify proposed petitions for citizen ballot initiatives must be signed by at least five percent of the qualified electors in one-third of the legislative districts.” Two ballot initiatives involve the legalization of marijuana (Constitutional Initiative No. 118 and Initiative No. 190). Legislative Referendum No. 130 addresses firearms laws in the state.

Vote. Vote. Vote.