Whitefish to use mail ballots in November

Long lines and "I voted!" stickers may soon be a thing of the past for Flathead County voters.

Whitefish is following the trend of other Montana towns by recently passing a resolution to conduct its November general election by mail-in ballot.

Last Monday the Whitefish City Council voted to approve a resolution that would do just that.

According to Flathead County Election Department Supervisor Monica Eisenzimer, Whitefish's relatively small population makes it the prime location to test mail-in only voting. Last year one-fourth of Whitefish voters sent in absentee ballots, Eisenzimer said.

If it successful, the rest of the county may follow suit as soon as 2010.

In past years Whitefish has had difficulty finding an effective polling place that meets requirements for disabled voters.

Last year Whitefish elections were held at the Roy Duff Memorial Armory Building. Inadequate parking led to voters parking on the lawn, resulting in damage which had to be paid for by the county.

Eisenzimer noted that the mail-on ballot process allows a more organized and less-stressful election night.

It's also easier for voters.

Eisenzimer said that rather than having to request an absentee ballot, voters will automatically have a ballot mailed to their home.

"The public can vote in the privacy of their own home. And if they have any questions they have time to get them answered," Eisenzimer said.

According to Eisenzimer, mail-in voter turn out tends to be higher than traditional voting practices.

Reporter Amy May can be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at amay@dailyinterlake.com