On Tuesday, Montanans will flock to their neighborhood polling places to vote in a fierce and historic primary race headlined by the contest between Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Only the contests in Montana and South Dakota remain undecided.
In fact, most election administrators in western Montana expect voter turnout to hit a record high for a primary election.
“It's going to be a busy day,” Zeier said.
Monday was the first day Missoula County elections staff saw lines of absentee voters at the courthouse waiting to cast their ballots. Some couldn't wait another day to cast a vote, while others couldn't wait another day for the campaigning to end.
This past week, the crowds have been steady but manageable, Zeier said. The Missoula County Elections Office had extended hours to encourage early voting.
“To me, it was worth it,” Zeier said.
In Missoula County, as of Monday, staffers had dispensed 10,968 absentee ballots. That's up from 2,035 absentee ballots cast in the 2006 primary election when Jon Tester defeated John Morrison for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
In Lake County, staff distributed 2,200 absentee ballots as of Friday. That's up from 774 absentee ballots in the 2006 primary.
In Ravalli County, election staff handed out 3,637 absentee ballots. In 2006, voter turnout hit
35 percent. Election administrator Regina Plettenberg predicts
50 percent voter turnout in Tuesday's primary.
“(Absentee ballots) are coming back fast and furious,” Plettenberg said. At the same time, “it's hard to get your crystal ball right.”
Most western Montana counties are running elections similar to past ones despite more people expected at the polls. Some did add staff to deal with same-day voter registration.
“We always try to staff enough for a decent turnout because you never know,” Plettenberg said.
Polls around western Montana are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., except at two precincts in Ravalli County. In Sula and Pinesdale, polling places are open from noon to 8 p.m.
The busiest times at the polls are at 7 a.m., during the noon lunch hour, and after 5 p.m.
People need a form of identification to vote. That includes a driver's license or Costco card, for example. An electric bill or bank statement will also work.
In Montana, residents are not required to register with the state political parties to vote in the primary. Each voter is handed both a Democratic and Republican ballot. Voters fill out one, and hand back the blank ballot to an election official. Residents who voted absentee from their homes are asked to destroy the ballot not used.
Voters who have not turned in their absentee ballot before Tuesday may do so at any polling location or at their county courthouse.
For those who are not registered to vote yet, it's not too late.
Last-day voter registration is Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at county courthouses. Identification is required to register late. Voters will receive their ballot at the time they register.
All registered voters are welcome to vote even if they haven't voted in previous elections, Zeier said. Those who don't vote in the primary can still vote in the general election.
Folks who believe they were on a permanent list to always receive an absentee ballot for an election, but who have not received a ballot as of Tuesday, need to vote at their neighborhood polling place.
Watch a video about the day before Election Day in Missoula.Reporter Chelsi Moy can be reached at 523-5260 or at chelsi.moy@missoulian.com.
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