Ravalli County Absentee Ballots Reach New High

In this year's primary election, more Ravalli County voters used absentee ballots than voted at polling places. And that trend is continuing. Clerk and Recorder and Election Administrator Regina Plettenberg told KLYQ News that in the June primary, about 9,000 absentee ballots were received while only 3,500 people went to the polls on election day.

This Friday, October 12, all Montana counties will send out absentee ballots for the November 6 election. Ravalli County will send a record 15,000 absentee ballots. Plettenberg said that leaves about only 10,000 "active" registered voters who are expected at the polls. She said that voters have different reasons for the early ballots - they may be snowbirds, heading out of state or they just like the convenience of voting at home. Even with the majority of voters using the early voting options, Plettenberg said all Ravalli County polling places will be open on November 6th. The absentee ballots will be counted first on election day and KLYQ 1240 Radio will report all election results on the air and online at klyq.com and on your cellphone with the free KLYQ app.