How popular is absentee voting in Ravalli County? The number of requested ballots totals over 13,500 this year, according to Election Administrator Regina Plettenberg. And after all the votes are counted in the June 5th Primary Election, the absentee totals will comprise about 50 percent of the vote. The rest of the voting will be done the regular way - going to the polling places on election day and casting your ballot between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The absentee ballots were sent out in the mail May 11 and are due back in the Election Office by 8 p.m. June 5th. However, Plettenberg said that to insure your vote is counted, you should mail it BEFORE May 31st to physically get the ballot to the office in time. She also said to follow the instructions in the packet:

  • Fill out the ballot
  • Put the ballot in the secrecy envelope, seal it.
  • Put the secrecy envelope in the tan mailing envelope.
  • Put a stamp on the mailing envelope.
  • SIGN IT! The ballot will not count unless you sign the tan mailing envelope, and it must be YOUR signature. The officials check it.

The county also has a 24-hour drop box for the ballots at the north driveway of Administration Building on the 200 block of South 3rd in Hamilton. You don't need a stamp for the envelope there, but you still need to SIGN it.

More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM