By Matt B. Walen
Absentee ballots for the upcoming city of Havre general elections are available at the Hill County Clerk and Recorders office.
Persons wishing to vote absentee for the Nov. 2 general election may do so by requesting an absentee ballot from the clerk and recorder or by voting in person at the office, said Diane Mellem, Hill County Clerk and Recorder.
Mellem said only 385 of the 4,986 registered voters in Havre, just over 7.7 percent, went to the polls during Septembers primary election.
Democratic candidates who advanced to the general election include Doug Larson in Ward I, Vickie Clouse in Ward II, Jack Brandon in Ward III, and Mayer Lossing in Ward IV. Republican candidates advancing include John McLain Sr. in Ward I, Gary Schubert in Ward II, Kevin Allison in Ward III and Shane Ford in Ward IV.
Those wanting an absentee ballot sent to them must make the request in writing, Mellem said. The written request must be signed by the individual desiring the ballot and must state the name of the person designated to pick up the ballot, or state the address to which the ballot is to be mailed.
Each individual elector must sign for their own ballot. No person can request a ballot for another person. An elector may designate a person who may pick up their ballot, but the elector must personally sign the request.
Absentee balloting will close noon Monday, Nov. 1, at which time the ballots and election supplies will be delivered to the various polling places for the opening of Election day at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Personnel in the Clerk and Recorders office urges those who need to use the absentee balloting process to be sure to allow for plenty of time for requesting, voting and returning the absentee ballot as the ballot must be received no later than 8 p.m. on election Tuesday, Nov. 2.
College students, military and those who are out of the county temporarily are urged to request as early as possible to ensure that the ballot will have sufficient time to be voted and returned for counting.
Written absentee ballot requests should be sent to the Hill County Clerk and Recorder, 315 Fourth St., Havre, MT 59501.
