Lake County Elections Administrator Katie Harding announced that the June 2, 2020 primary election will be held by mail ballot this year.

Primary elections are used to select party candidates that will compete in the general election in November. All voters will be receiving a ballot for the Democratic, Green, and Republican Parties but may only choose one ballot to vote. Voters no longer need to return the unvoted ballots. “They may dispose of the extra ballots in any way they are comfortable with, such as burning or shredding,” says Harding.

Ballots will be mailed May 8 to all active, registered voters within the county. Voters can check to ensure the office has their correct address and their registration status is active at My Voter Page - https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/. This site has been updated to show voters their name, residence address, mailing address, voting status, absentee status, precinct and location of the Election Office.

If an individual has an inactive status, they may call the Election Office at 883-7268 to find out how to reactivate and receive a ballot.

Voted ballots must be in the Election Office by 8 pm on June 2 in order to be counted. Ballots will have a pre-paid postage return envelope. Stamps will not be required for this election. Postmarks do not apply; the ballot must be physically received in the office by this time. Once ballots are mailed, voters can track their ballot through My Voter Page.

Regular voter registration is open through May 26. Registration forms are available to fill out and mail in, and can be accessed in many places, including the county website, public assistance offices, and even in phone books. Even if received after ballots go out May 8, individual ballots will be mailed the day the registration form is received. Starting May 27 if individuals wish to register, they must appear in-person at the Lake County Election Office located at the Lake County Courthouse, 106 4th Ave E. in Polson. The Election Office is open from 8 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Polling locations where people have normally voted in person will be closed due to COVID-19 social distancing considerations. The Election Office will be open 7 am – 8 pm on Election Day, June 2, for voters who still choose to vote in person for late registration, ballot drop-off, and ballot replacement.

Sample Ballots will be available May 1 on My Voter Page, and May 5 on the Lake County Election website, lakemt.gov/election/election.html.