Missoula County Elections Office issues important reminders for November election

MISSOULA — The Missoula County Elections Office is looking to remind voters of some important information -- including upcoming key dates -- as preparations continue for the Nov. 3 general election.

Since Missoula County opted to conduct the election by mail, polling places will not be open on Election Day. All active registered voters will receive a ballot after they’re mailed on Friday, Oct. 9. Ballots are due back to the Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Postmarks are not sufficient. Return postage is paid.

Residents can verify they are registered to vote at their current address at www.myvoterpagemt.com. Residents who need to register to vote or update their registration need to fill out the voter registration form found here.

Voters should keep the following dates in mind as the election approaches:

Friday, Oct. 2: All elections services, including voter registration, will be provided at the warehouse on the east side of the Elections Center complex at 140 N. Russell St. Voters should enter the parking lot at the corner of Prince and Wyoming streets. Look for the large “Enter Here” sign.

Friday, Oct. 2: Ballots will become available for in-person voting at the Elections Center. Voters can come by the Elections Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Election Day if they want to vote a ballot in person instead of their mailed ballot. The office also will offer extended hours leading up to and on Election Day:

• Saturday, Oct. 24: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Monday-Friday, Oct. 26-30: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 2: 8 a.m. 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

(Note: Office will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.)

If a voter chooses to vote at the Elections Center and does not wish to use their mailed ballot, their mailed ballot will be voided before the database will issue a new one. Residents who vote before Oct. 9 will still receive the voided ballot in the mail, but the voter database will not be able to accept the voided ballot if another ballot has been accepted.

Friday, Oct. 9: Ballots will be mailed out, which is the earliest the office can send them, per state statute. If voters have not received their ballot by Tuesday, Oct. 13, they should contact the Elections Office.

Tuesday, Oct. 13: The Elections Office will hold a satellite voter event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Frenchtown Fire Station, 16875 Marion St. Residents can register to vote, receive a replacement ballot, vote a ballot in person or drop off a ballot at this event.

Tuesday, Oct. 20: The Elections Office will hold a satellite voter event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Tax Extension Office, 3360 Hwy. 83 N. Residents can register to vote, receive a replacement ballot, vote a ballot in person or drop off a ballot at this event.

Monday, Oct. 26: Last day of regular registration. After this date, residents will need to appear in person at the Elections Office to register to vote or update their information.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: The Elections Office will hold a voter satellite event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Montana Adams Center. Residents can register to vote, receive a replacement ballot, vote a ballot in person or drop off a ballot at this event.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing a ballot seven days before the election to ensure delivery by Election Day. If a voter has not mailed their ballot by this date, they should drop it off at the Elections Center during the previously listed hours through Nov. 2, or at one of the Election Day ballot drop-off locations listed below.

Monday, Nov. 2: By state law, voter registration will be unavailable after 12 p.m. Voters can still drop off ballots, receive a replacement ballot or vote a ballot in person until 7 p.m. that day.

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Residents can register to vote, receive a replacement ballot and vote in person at the Elections Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Drive-thru ballot drop-off will not be offered at the Elections Center on Election Day; this service will be provided at McCormick Park instead. The following ballot drop-off locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day only:

• Missoula Early Learning Center (Cold Springs), 2625 Briggs St.

• Frenchtown Fire Station, 16875 Marion St.
• Spring Meadows Fire Station, 9350 Ladyslipper Lane
• Lolo Elementary School, 11395 Hwy. 93 S.
• McCormick Park, 600 Cregg Lane
• Clinton School Annex, 20359 E. Mullan Road
• Potomac Greenough Community Center, 29827 Potomac Road
• Seeley Lake Elementary School, 200 School Lane
• Missoula County Fairgrounds, 1101 South Ave. W.
• UM (Adams Center), 32 Campus Drive
• Clearwater Credit Union, 2610 N. Reserve St.

Common voter questions are online. Residents can call the Elections Office at 406-258-4751 or email electioninfo@missoulacounty.us if they have additional questions.