MISSOULA - The Missoula County Election’s office set up a satellite election office at the University of Montana Friday to help people with all their voting needs ahead of Election Day.
Satellite offices allow voters to access the election services without needing to travel to the main office on Russell Street in Missoula, said Missoula County Elections Administrator Bradley Seaman.
“These are a great way that voters can come in, get a ballot, drop off a voted ballot, make a replacement," Seaman said. "Whatever they need to do. Anything you do at our office, you can do it at any of these satellite events.“
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In the 29 days before an election in Montana, voters must appear in person to change their voter registration and get a ballot, Seaman said.
The satellite events help make it easier for people to meet this requirement, he said.
At the satellite offices, people can register to vote, request a replacement ballot, fill out and submit a mail ballot in person and drop off a completed ballot.
The UM event was the second of six events held through Election Day.
The first was held in Frenchtown and the next will be held on Nov. 4 in Seeley Lake. Three more events will be held on Nov. 4, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 at the Gray Wolf Peak Casino on Evaro Hill.
UM graduate Nathan Barton was volunteering at the Montana Innocence Project when he heard about the satellite event.
He says the satellite office made it convenient to vote.
“I need to like update my address and I’ve just been putting off because you need to print off a form and mail it in," Barton said. "And it’s kind of a pain sometimes when you don’t have a printer.”
While people can register to vote until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Seaman said he encouraged people to register and vote early.
“If you come into Missoula County on Election Day," Seaman said. "You should be prepared for up to a two-hour wait.”
Satellite events will be held:
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Seeley Lake Tax Extension Office, 3360 HWY 83 N
- 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at Gray Wolf Peak Casino, 20750 US-93
- 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 at Gray Wolf Peak Casino, 20750 US-93
- 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 at Gray Wolf Peak Casino, 20750 US-93
