Voter registration still possible

Erin Scott, Leader Staff

With the election just around the corner, county residents still have time to register and become informed about candidates and ballot issues.

Ann Brower, election clerk for Lake County, said she's seen more people register to vote since Oct. 6 then ever before.

"There's been a lot of traffic through the office," she said. "The numbers far exceed what we've seen before, which is very exciting."

Several absentee ballots, approximately 4,100, have already been filed. Absentee ballots must be in the election office by 8 p.m. Nov. 4 to be counted, and voters can pick-up an absentee ballot by noon before election day. Absentee ballot envelopes that are not signed, will not be counted. There have been no issues thus far, but in such an event the office will contact the voter.

If a voter does not bring picture identification to their local polling office, they can vote provisionally, but must bring a photo id to the election office by 5 p.m. the next day. Voters who do not have a registration card or do not know where to go to vote can contact the election office or visit their website.

Although the election office does not partner with any organization, Brower said political parties and activists have informed the office of their efforts to get out the vote.

"Different political parties are definitely working hard," she said.

Unlike rumors circulating about other state elections, voters in Montana can only vote once in their county.

A few ballot issues to become familiar with are: Constitutional Amendment No. 44, Legislative Referendum No. 118 and Initiative No. 155.

For further information contact the election office at 883-7268, or visit their office located in the southeast corner of the Lake County Courthouse on 4th Ave. East in Polson.