Lake County to conduct primary election by mail

Lake County Commissioners last week voted unanimously to hold an all-mail ballot election for the June 2 primary in an effort to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Lake County Election Administrator Katie Harding told the commission that an all-mail ballot is the “most economically and administratively feasible way” to hold the election. “I also believe it is the safe way to guarantee voters in Lake County have access to voting during the COVID-19 epidemic.”

Commissioner Bill Barron noted that the Commissioner’s Office received a handful of comments in favor of the mail election and no comments against the plan.

Ballots will be mailed on May 8 to active voters and will include return postage.

The U.S. Postal Service recommends returning ballots by mail a week prior to the election, especially for voters in rural areas or for students or others returning ballots from out-of-state.

The secretary of state’s website has a My Voter Page where people can check their registration. The website also allows people to print a voter registration form to submit to the county election office for new registrants or for address updates.

Lake County’s decision is in step with counties across the state following a directive from Gov. Steve Bullock that allowed counties to expand voting by mail and early voting.

“This is about protecting Montanans’ right to vote at a time we face unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Bullock said. “Locally elected officials best understand the voting needs of their communities, and taking this action now ensures they will have the time to make the right decisions for their localities. I feel confident we can protect both the public’s health and the right to vote with this direction.”

Speaker Rep. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, said he was in full support of the plan.

“This directive allows counties to choose what is best for their voters and election staff during this state of emergency,” he said.