With Billings' public safety mill levy vote in the rearview mirror, Yellowstone County elections officials are now turning their attention to the Nov. 3 general election and a move from the courthouse to MetraPark.
Since 2008, the Yellowstone County Elections Office has moved to the Metra for the last two days of federal elections. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a need for more space, the move will be made at the beginning of early voting on Oct. 2 through Election Day.
“We needed the space to have people safely stand—socially distance—and we needed some more workspace for more computers,” said Yellowstone County Elections Administrator Bret Rutherford.
While voters will still be able to drop off their ballots at the courthouse, they won’t be able to register there or pick up a replacement ballot once the move is made.
"We’ll still accept absentee ballots coming back to us at the county elections office. Also, an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) device will be available for the disabled if they wish to use it, but we just cannot issue ballots at the county courthouse for this coming election. So, if you are a late registrant or the dog eats your ballot you need a replacement, you are going to have to go out to the Metra,” said Rutherford.
Rutherford says they have seen a large amount of late registration voters in the past couple of election cycles and is urging people get registered now. He also says it is important to notify the elections office if you have moved.
You can check if your voting information is correct by going to Montana Secretary of State’sMy Voter Page.
