Voters in Flathead County head to polls for Election Day
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 8 months AGO
A roll of "I Voted" stickers at the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Nov. 8. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | November 4, 2024 11:00 PM
Voters are heading to the polls Nov. 5 to determine a slate of races in Flathead County, statewide and nationally. Montana voters will also decide three constitutional initiatives.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s too late to return absentee ballots by mail, but they can be dropped off at polling locations.
Multiple polling locations are open across Flathead County. Due to changes to the legislative district boundaries, some voters may be in a different precinct than in previous elections. The Flathead County Election Department recommends checking where to vote by visiting prodvoterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx.
Voting is no longer available at Swan River School, Columbia Falls High School or the Bigfork library.
There are two drive-thru voting locations open on Tuesday at the Flathead County Fairgrounds and at the county Election Department, 290 B N. Main St., Kalispell.
Voters need to present identification when voting in person. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid driver’s license, military identification, U.S. passport and school district or postsecondary education photo identification. Voters can also present a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or notice of voter registration that includes their name and current address.
Montana allows voters to register on Election Day, and those who are in line when polls close at 8 p.m. are permitted to vote.
Voters are prohibited from wearing or displaying any campaign material or electioneering within 100 feet of any polling location.
Flathead County had 83,698 registered voters as of Monday, according to the Montana Secretary of State’s Office. Statewide there were 791,455 registered voters.
Of the 55,265 absentee ballots sent out in Flathead County, 38,609 had been returned as of Monday, accounting for nearly 70% of the total. Statewide of the roughly 542,000 ballots sent out nearly 73% had been returned.
More information on voting in Montana can be found on the Secretary of State’s website at sosmt.gov/elections/.
Deputy Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or [email protected].
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