KALISPELL — A ballot discrepancy in Flathead County has put the results of the November 7, 2023, Kalispell municipal election in jeopardy.
Flathead election officials announced late Tuesday afternoon that Kalispell municipal ballots were issued according to previous ward boundaries.
The ballots did not reflect the new boundaries approved in December 2021. which means people may not have had the correct candidate on their ballot.
County leaders are trying to determine what happens next.
The Flathead County Elections Department and Flathead County Commissioners are now working with the state officials and county legal staff to figure out how to proceed with the election results.
The results will be brought to Flathead County Commissioners on November 21, 2023, to review and accept the election and certify the candidates.
However, it's unclear if the commissioners will accept this election.
“It's a big deal because our commitment is every vote counts. I know that our Elections Department — they are also committed to that. And so, we want to be doing everything we can to evaluate it and get this right,” said Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl.
It's also unclear what will happen after the public hearing on November 21, as this is new territory for Flathead County.
We will follow this story as it progresses.
