It’s finally here… Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th with Gallatin Valley residents ready to descend on local polling places in substantial numbers. The patriotism is in the air and we’re all anxiously awaiting the end result of yet another exhaustive election cycle.
Do you still want the opportunity to vote but aren’t yet registered? The few who didn’t quite make the initial deadline aren’t out of luck. The Late Registration period is now in effect, continuing through noon on Nov. 4th and resuming again on Election Day from 7am–8pm.
Prospective voters need only meet three simple qualifications to cast their ballots: they are a United States citizen, are 18 years or older, and have been a Montana resident for a minimum of 30 days before Election Day. That’s it. We all should vote – it’s our civic duty and gives us the right to complain!
Leading up to Nov. 5th, those who still need to register MUST visit the Election Office in person. Please bring your driver’s license and/or social security number with you. The office can be found in Room 210 of the Gallatin County Courthouse, located at 311 W Main in Bozeman. ALL ballots must be returned to the Election Office or official polling place by 8pm on Election Day. A drive-by tent will also be set up in front of the Courthouse on Nov. 5th to collect ballots. Stop by the office or call (406) 582-3060 with additional questions.
Note for absentee voters: please ensure your ballots are mailed in time to be counted and remember to SIGN the affidavit on the back of the envelope. If there’s any doubt, please drop them off at the Election Office in person. Those received late or in unsigned envelopes will not be counted.
If you’re not sure and would like to find out the status of your voter record, log on to www.votemt.gov and click ‘My Ballot Info’ after the jump. You’ll be rerouted to the Montana Secretary of State’s voter information service. By simply entering your first and last name with your date of birth, you can see if you’re registered to vote, whether you’re an active or inactive voter, whether you’re signed up to vote absentee, and the location of your polling place. You can also view or download a sample ballot.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th with local polling places open from 7am–8pm. Don’t let political fatigue keep you from exercising your inalienable right and civic duty to get out and vote! •
