Many general election ballots to arrive this week

Ballots for the Nov. 3 general election were mailed Oct. 9 and should arrive in local mailboxes this week.

This election is being conducted solely as a mail ballot election, which means the county will mail a ballot to every “active” registered voter as though they are an absentee voter, according to the county Election Department.

The only polling place that will be open and available will be the Election Department at the South Campus Building, 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Voter registration closes Oct. 26. Voter registration forms are available on the Flathead County Election Department webpage, at https://flathead.mt.gov/election/.

There will be two places of deposit for the mail ballot election — at Columbia Falls and Whitefish city halls.

At Columbia Falls City Hall, 130 Sixth St. W., Room A, ballots can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Because Whitefish City Hall is closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, election judges will be available in the vestibule of City Hall on the corner of Second Street and Baker Avenue to collect ballots Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whitefish City Hall is closed Monday, Oct. 12, for Columbus Day. After hours or weekends ballots can be dropped in the Utility Payment Drop Box, located in the breezeway between City Hall and the parking garage (entrance on Baker Avenue). When Whitefish City Hall reopens to the public, ballots can be delivered inside to the Customer Service Clerks during open hours.

Election Judges will be at Whitefish City Hall from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day to collect ballots.

Voters can keep track of their ballots through the My Voter Page found on the county Election Department webpage.