GOP, Dems focus on Havre races

With Montana's secretary of state joining her compatriots across the nation in declaring September National Voter Registration Month, it reflects efforts to get the vote out in the Havre area.

Bowen Greenwood, executive director of the Montana Republican Party, said this morning that his party is paying special attention to north-central Montana.

"We're trying to identify unregistered conservatives and help them register to vote," he said. "Hill County is definitely one of the areas where we will be doing that."

Greenwood said his party is especially interested in the race for House District 34 in Hill and Blaine counties, where incumbent Republican Wendy Warburton is facing a challenge from Democrat Dana Sapp Seidel.

The race for Senate District 17, where termed-out Speaker of the House Bob Bergren, a Democrat, faces Republican Rowlie Hutton, and in House District 33, where Republican Kris Hansen faces Democrat Jack Trethewey, also are high-profile races, Greenwood said.

Secretary Linda McCulloch said Wednesday that she had joined the other members of the National Association of Secretaries of State in declaring the voter registration month.

"Eighty-five percent of eligible Montanans are registered to vote," McCulloch said. "We're ahead of the national curve, but Montanans can do better. Register, if you haven't done so already, and take advantage of the opportunity to have your voice be heard in every election.

The deadline for regular registration is 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Voters may register in person at the county election office or by filling out and returning a voter registration card to the county election office. Voter registration cards can be found on the secretary of state's website at http://sos.mt.gov/Elections.

People who miss the regular registration deadline also may register during Montana's late registration period at their county election office.

"Registering to vote is easy in Montana," McCulloch said. "Whatever method you use to register, make sure your card gets to the county election office.

McCulloch added that people can check their registration status and information online at the secretary of state's website by clicking on the "My Voter Page" link.

Greenwood said his party is paying close attention to the legislative elections in the Havre area. The party has opened an office and has a staff member working on those races, he said.

The state Democratic Party also has a similar focus in the Havre area.

Part of that effort includes the candidates working to make sure everyone they talk to while campaigning is registered to vote.

Most of the work to get voters registered is being done out of the Republican Party's Helena offices, Greenwood said.