Absentee ballots available Oct. 6 for early voting
By RICHARD HANNERS / for the Eagle
The number of Montana voters choosing to use absentee ballots appears to be increasing each election cycle. More and more voters are eligible to cast ballots a month before the Nov. 4 general election.
About 29 percent of ballots in the 2006 general election were absentee ballots, which become available Oct. 6 this year. About 34 percent of this year's primary election ballots were absentee, and some political pundits expect this number to increase.
Eligible Montana voters can request an absentee ballot up to 75 days in advance of an election, and they can ask to be put on a permanent absentee ballot list so long as they remain at the same address.
Forms are available at the county election office in Kalispell (call 758-5536) or can be downloaded from the Montana Secretary of State's Web site at http://sos.mt.gov.
An absentee ballot will be mailed to anyone requesting one, or voters can designate someone to pick up the ballot for them at the county election office. Voters will also be sent a free voter information pamphlet.
To be eligible to vote, persons must be registered by law, over 18, a U.S. citizen and have lived in Montana and the county in which they intend to vote for at least 30 days. Persons may only vote in the precinct where they live.
Registration forms are available at the county election office. Voters may register right up to the close of polls on election day, except between noon and 5 p.m. the day before election day.
Registration is generally permanent. Persons will be put on the inactive voter list if they do not vote in a federal general election and if they don't respond to confirmation mailings. Persons who move must re-register.
Anyone who registers after Oct. 6 will receive a ballot at the county election office that they can take home if they choose.
Persons who choose to vote in person at a polling place on election day must provide identification. This can include a current ID with a photo, such as a driver's license or school, state or tribal ID. Voters may also show a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter confirmation notice, government check or other government document that shows the voter's name and address.