Changes coming to Lake County Elections

Changes in the Lake County Elections department have been announced.

Two new precincts were formed in Lake County, according to Lake County Election Administrator Katie Harding.

“Due to the unfortunate events with Linderman’s roof, the new polling place for all residents in precincts POL 1, POL 2, POL 3, POL 4, POL 5, POL 6, POL 7 and POL 8 will be located at the Polson Middle School Gymnasium,” 1602 Second St. West, she stated through a press release.

Harding also said that Lake County Commissioners voted to approve the creation of precincts PAB 1 and PAB 2, due to precincts RON 1 and RON 2 increasing in size, creating longer waiting time at the polls.

The new polling location for precincts PAB 1 and PAB 2 is Pablo Christian Church, 35890 Clairmont Road.

The boundary line between the Pablo and Ronan precincts is Rolling Road and Canyon Mill Road.

Residents that live on the north side of the roads will reside in either PAB 1 or PAB 2.

For residents on the south side of the roads, they will remain in the RON 1 or RON 2 precincts, and will continue to vote at the Ronan Community Center.

Lastly, Harding said that Lake County officials have made the decision to return to central count on election night, based on both financial and equipment reasons.

“The current machines were expensive to program, transport and train officials on,” she explained, adding that M-100 tabulators will no longer be at polling locations.

Voters will now drop their voted ballots into locked, secure ballot boxes that will be transported to the Lake County Courthouse on the night of elections for tabulation.

Harding also confirmed that any member of the public is able to observe their ballot be tabulated in a sequestered room.

Copies of the new precincts are available through the election website at www.lakemt.gov/elections or the Lake County Election Office.

For questions, contact Harding at (406) 883-7268 or kharding@lakemt.gov.