Get out the vote

Many constituents didn’t know what to think about the all mail ballot for the School District 6 bond issue in Columbia Falls. It is the first mail-in ballot in our school district, though several districts across the state have done it for years.

I think the trustees made a great decision. Now every voter will have the ballot in hand and not use the excuse that they “didn’t know,” especially when it’s being sent at an odd time of year away from other election cycles.

Montana law 20-9-428 states that a bond election will pass with a simple majority if at least 40% have cast a ballot. If more than 30% but less than 40% cast a ballot the approval rate must be 60% of the ballots. If less than 30% cast a ballot the bond is rejected.

The Flathead County Election Office will verify our signatures from the voter cards on file and return them to the district with a count. Election judges will then start the cumbersome task of counting our votes.

State law doesn’t allow ballot harvesting so be very aware of having proper paperwork if you are delivering someone else’s ballot.

You need to vote your ballot and be sure it’s to the district office by Oct. 8th. (The ballots were mailed last week and some of us are still waiting for their arrival.)

We all know that snail mail is just that—slow! Be sure your ballot is returned early enough to count.

See you at the mailbox.

Dee Brown,

Senate District 2, Hungry Horse