Lincoln County officials issued a statement Friday afternoon in the hope of avoiding a large amount of rejected ballots for the upcoming June 2 primary election.

Under Montana law, a physical ballot bearing an identifying mark, including a voter signature, is subject to rejection. The county has been working to obtain clarification regarding the proper handling of any ballots that may have been affected.

“If a voter has not yet submitted an absentee ballot and believes they may have signed or otherwise marked the physical ballot itself, the voter should immediately contact the Lincoln County Elections Office to obtain a replacement ballot,” county Administrator Matt Williams said in the statement. “It is the understanding of Lincoln County officials that once a ballot has been submitted it cannot be withdrawn and replaced.”

Troubles arose after absentee ballot voter packets were mailed May 8. Enclosed with the ballots, security and return envelope was an instruction to voters to sign their ballots.

“The instruction at issue was provided to the county by the Montana Secretary of State’s Office and was distributed as advised by the Secretary of State with absentee ballot materials mailed by Lincoln County,” Williams said. “The county has since become aware that the instruction appears to be inconsistent with Montana law governing ballot secrecy and identifying marks on physical ballots.”

County officials said they don’t know how many ballots may be impacted and it couldn’t know the full extent of the issue until ballot envelopes are opened for tabulation.

“Lincoln County regrets that voters may have received instructions that were inconsistent with Montana law,” Williams said. “The county’s immediate priority is to protect the integrity of the election, preserve the secrecy of the ballot, and ensure that all voters are treated lawfully and consistently.”

The county said it would issue further updates as additional guidance becomes available.

Voters with questions should contact the county Elections Office at 406-283-2302 or at its office at 418 Mineral Avenue in Libby.

While the county has seen its share of problems with absentee ballots since they were implemented, the frequency of mistakes since 2022 after current Election Administrator Melanie Howell was hired.

Over the years, mailed ballots have been returned because voters didn’t update their address. Ballots can not be forward, by law.

In the 2020 general election, a ballot box was left in the North Lincoln County Annex in Eureka. The votes were recovered in time to be counted for the final results.

In the June 2022 primary election, all ballots were counted by hand when they were printed on paper that was the incorrect size.

Paula Buff, who was the election administrator from January 2021 to March 2023, resigned and later sued the county for what is termed, “constructive discharge.” It means the voluntary termination of employment by an employee because of a situation created by an act or omission of the employer which an objective, reasonable person would find so intolerable that voluntary termination is the only reasonable alternative.

Buff and the county later settled the suit out of court and today, she runs the elections in Flathead County.

Howell was hired in May 2023. Two officials were asked why they thought Howell was the best person for the job. One did not comment while another said she met all of the qualifications. One official wasn’t sure of how many people applied for the job.

In the November 2023 general election, nearly 400 absentee voters were sent ballots instructing them to choose one candidate for Eureka City Council. But there were two open seats. Howell confirmed to the Tobacco Valley News the mistake happened within the Election Department during the proofing process. She said her department received the correct information from Eureka and the printer was not responsible for the error.

Another miscue occurred in the 2024 primary election when Howell didn’t appoint election judges in a timely manner, violating state law. At minimum, the appointments should have been made May 6, at least 30 days prior to the primary. They weren’t approved until June 12 following the primary election.

In 2024, Howell sought to separate her department from the county clerk and recorder. The county commissioners did not OK the split.

In 2025, about a month before local school trustee elections, Howell was put on paid administrative leave. No reason was given by county officials. Howell returned to work just before the trustee elections in early May.

Howell rankled some voters earlier this year when she proposed at a Feb. 11 commission meeting closing drop boxes in Troy and at the county sheriff’s office in Libby. 

Troy mayor T.J. Boswell was opposed to removing the drop box in Troy. He cited calls from constituents, convenience for residents and 24/7 access. He also said the location is secure and there hadn’t been any prior issues, according to sheriff Darren Short.

The Troy drop box serves voters who live in far-flung locales such as Yaak, Bull River, McCormick and to Idaho border.