Missoula County announced on April 15 that approximately 75,360 ballots will be mailed to voters for the upcoming school and special district elections scheduled for Tuesday, May 5. The election will be conducted entirely by mail, with no polling places open on Election Day.
This countywide election involves all active and provisionally registered voters, who will receive ballots tailored to their residential districts. The ballot includes issues such as funding levies and board member positions across several local school districts and special districts. According to the official website, Missoula County is led by three elected commissioners who oversee budgets and policy according to the official website.
Elections Administrator Bradley Seaman said, “We’d like to remind voters that there’s a tight turnaround from when you receive your ballot to when it’s due back to the Elections Center. Make an educated decision and then plan to return your ballot early by mail using the prepaid envelope, or hand-deliver it to one of the many drop locations that will be open on Election Day around the county.”
Voters are required to write their birth year and signature on their mail ballot envelope before submitting it; missing information will result in rejection of the ballot. Ballots must reach the Elections Office by 8 p.m. on May 5; postmarks are not sufficient. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing ballots no later than April 28. After this date, voters should deliver ballots in person at designated locations listed in their packet instructions.
The annual elections include participation from Missoula County Public School District No. 1 (high school and elementary fund levy), Hellgate School District No. 4 (trustee), Lolo School District No. 7 (general fund levy), Potomac School District No. 11 (general fund levy), Bonner School District No. 14 (general fund and safety levy), Seeley Lake Elementary District No. 34 (general fund levy), Frenchtown School District No. 40 (general fund levy), East Missoula Rural Fire District (fire services levy), and Seeley Lake Sewer District (trustee election). Trustees serve three-year terms or fill vacant terms as needed.
Missoula County enriches local culture through community events at fairgrounds, educational programs, book awards via its public library according to the official website, manages centers like Rocky Mountain Gardens for learning activities according to the official website, promotes safe outdoor burning practices starting March each year according to the official website, delivers ecology-focused community programs according to the official website, funds park improvements, encourages public safety practices, facilitates events for engagement according to the official website, and focuses broadly on enhancing community welfare through various initiatives according to the official website.
Regular voter registration is closed; changes must now be made in person at Building B at 140 N Russell St., with hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m., closing at noon May 4 but resuming from 7 a.m.–8 p.m on Election Day itself.
