For those who haven't already voted, Tuesday, Nov. 3 will be an exciting day as voters head to the polls and the incessant TV commercials plugging the candidates will finally come to an end.

While most of the local races were largely decided in the June primary, the stakes are extremely high for those vying for federal elected office that may change the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

In addition, the race for the open seat on the Montana Supreme Court and a number of initiatives have also drawn considerable attention and advertising dollars.

For Lincoln County voters casting or turning their ballots in, there are some things to be aware of before they go.

The polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. For those voting in Libby, the location is the Memorial Center on East Lincoln Boulevard. It serves Precincts 9-13.

Troy voters may cast their ballots at the Activity Center at 306 N. Fourth St. It serves Precincts 5-8 and 14.

The High Road Youth Center on 130 13th St. is the location for Eureka voters. It serves Precincts 1-4 and 15-16.

Voters using a Secure Ballot Vault must deposit their ballots before 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. 

The vaults, previously called drop boxes, are located at Eureka Dispatch, 855 U.S. Highway 93 North, Eureka, MT 59917; at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, 512 California Ave., Libby; and at the Troy Police Department Lobby, 402 N. 3rd St., Troy, MT 59935.

Election officials noted that the Troy location has an updated address, but the physical location has not changed. The prior address was 380 N 4th Street, Troy, Montana. It may show up on mapping programs at this prior address.

The vaults will be available for ballot drop-off 24 hours a day until 5 p.m. the day before Election Day. The vaults are closed on Election Day.

Voters needing to return ballots after this time should return them to the Election Office in Libby or to any polling location between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

Absentee ballots can still be returned in person through 8 p.m. on Election Day to any polling place or to the Election Office.

The Election Office is advising voters to not mail absentee ballots within one week of the election, as they may not make it to the Election Office the deadline.

Voters casting a ballot in person must show photo ID. Accepted forms of ID include a valid driver’s license or REAL ID, a Montana State Identification Card, Military ID, Tribal Photo ID, U.S. Passport, Montana Concealed Carry Permit, Montana University System/NAIA Photo ID.

For those who haven’t registered, they may still do so from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Election Office in Libby. Applications are available in the center or can be printed out (https://lincolncountymt.gov/voting-resources/), filled in and turned in at the center.

For more information, call the Election Office at 283-2302 or 283-2304 or go to https://lincolncountymt.gov/.

To vote in Lincoln County, individuals must meet the following criteria:

- Be 18 years old, or older, on, or before, the next election;

- A citizen of the United States;

- Have lived in Montana for at least 30 days prior to the election;

- Registered to vote as required by law;

You cannot vote in Lincoln County if:

- You are currently a convicted felon serving a sentence in a penal institution;

- Have been judged in a court of law to be of unsound mind.

For more information or to see a sample ballot, visit https://lincolncountymt.gov/ or call 283-2302.

Sample ballots can also be seen at the Election Office or on the bulletin boards inside the county Courthouse on the north and south ends of the building as well as the north Lincoln County Annex Building in Eureka.