Missoula County Government: Ballots For School/Special District Election

Missoula MT

15 April, 2022

12:17 PM

Description

Press release from the Missoula County Government: April 13, 2022 This is an all-mail election. Return postage for ballots is prepaid, and voters also can drop off their ballots at the Elections Center at 140 N. Russell St. leading up to the election. Polling places will not be open on Election Day. Ballots are due back to the Elections Office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 3. Postmarks are not sufficient. "We encourage people to reach out to our office with any questions," Elections Administrator Bradley Seaman said. "Voters can also learn how the election process works by watching our new videos documenting ballot processing and verification, which are online at http://missoula.co/electionintegrity, or by joining us for an election process tour." The Elections Office invites members of the public and media to tour the processes that take place leading up to and after Election Day that ensure accuracy and integrity of elections. The following will take place in the Elections Center: 9:45 a.m. Thursday, April 28: Election equipment testing. Elections staff will test the tabulators used to count ballots to ensure they are working properly ahead of Election Day. They will also test the ADA-compliant ExpressVote ballot marking devices to ensure they are operating correctly for drop-off locations on Election Day. 9:45 a.m. Monday, May 2: Ballot processing. Attendees will observe staff and volunteers following the multi-step process used to verify signatures, process ballots and ensure that each ballot cast is counted. 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 3: Ballot tabulation. Attendees will observe staff conducting the final test of equipment, as well as the counting and retention process for voted ballots. 2:45 p.m. Monday, May 9: Provisional ballot count. Attendees will observe staff counting any accepted provisional ballots for the election. 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 16: Election canvass. State law requires the Elections Office and three county elected officials to verify the election with a canvass. The canvass ensures the number of ballots accepted are the number of ballots counted and that no ballots are missing or counted more than once. Media and public are invited to observe the canvass with the Missoula County commissioners and elections staff. School districts will conduct their own canvass. Election Day voter registration is currently under legal review. The best way for residents to ensure they're able to vote in this election is to register or make changes by noon Monday, May 2, in person at the Elections Center. All voter services will be provided in the green warehouse on the east side of the Elections Center. Residents are encouraged to check their voter registration early and finalize all details well in advance of Election Day at the Elections Office. In addition to the school and special district elections, the Elections Office will administer the federal primary election on Tuesday, June 7, and the federal general election Tuesday, Nov. 8. Details on current and upcoming elections are available online at www.missoulavotes.com. People with questions or those looking for more information are welcome to contact the Elections Office at [email protected] or 406-258-4751. Seaman is available for media interviews by calling 406-529-8980. This press release was produced by the Missoula County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.