As we are all probably aware it’s nearly time again for the general election coming on November 3, 2020, but this time some things will be different. Due to the pandemic, all Montana counties have the option to utilize all-mail ballots for the first time in history, and 46 of Montana’s 56 counties have decided to do so. There will indeed be some changes but the good news is that Montanans with disabilities still have the opportunity to vote independently using adaptive voting machines or other options.
In the 46 counties implementing all-mail ballots, ballots will be mailed October 9, 2020 to the addresses of voters registered by October 2. For those registering after October 2, ballots will be mailed ASAP after registering up until October 26. A person may still register after October 26 and as late as election day, November 3, but must do so in person at their local county election office, obtain a ballot, and submit it in person. Anyone registered who receives a ballot in the mail may complete it and mail it or choose to complete and take it in person to their local county election office or a designated drop box. County election offices and drop boxes must be staffed by county election employees anytime they are available. In short, the all-mail ballot process is very much like the absentee process used by many Montanans already. Within Summit’s service region, only one of seven counties has opted out of conducting an all-mail ballot election and will be doing in-person poll voting. Mineral County will be in-person while Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Ravalli, and Sanders Counties will be all-mail.
Individuals with disabilities, regardless of how they receive a ballot, may take their ballot to their local county election office, or select drop locations, to use an accessible voting machine to mark a ballot independently or utilize other options. All county election offices in Montana have either an AutoMARK or ExpressVote machine, depending which county, that provide the same accessibility options. Both machines provide multiple
voting for those who cannot write, alternative switch or touch-screen voting for those with limited dexterity, sip & puff voting for those without hand or arm function, and blind/low vision options of screen contrast changes and/or text-to-speech audio voting via headphones. Election officials are also available to provide physical and/or instructional assistance as needed or requested. Any voter without a disability is also welcome to request to use the same voting technology. Voters with disabilities may also register and use the Electronic Ballot Request System (EBRS) to access and complete a ballot via computer, print it, and mail it back or deliver it in person. That service is available beginning 30 days before and up through noon the day before election day, November 3. For other options, including designating someone to assist you in the process, please see the votiong checklist links on page 2.
Hopefully the upcoming 2020 election will proceed smoothly even with the planned changes. Montana’s all-mail election might not ultimately seem much different than those in the past to many due to Montana’s historically high rate of absentee ballots including 73% of voters in 2018. By knowing how the process works, participating in your civil right, and taking advantage of available options, we hope your voting experience will be as fulfilling and liberating as possible.
