DMV gives voters bum steer

The state Department of Motor Vehicles has never enjoyed a reputation for being a leader in government user-friendly practices, but long lines are one thing. Lost voter registrations are quite another.

In the wake of the Nov. 6 election, the department’s “motor voter” registration program has been labeled as “problematic.” But that is an understatement. Turns out that many voters across the state who thought they were getting user-friendly treatment with an option to register for voting while getting their driver licenses were really getting the run-around.

Some voters who participated in the program showed up at polling places only to be told they weren’t registered, forcing them to go through same-day registration, which mucked up Election Day voting in many counties. Flathead County, for instance, had 1,028 Election Day registrants. How many had previously tried to register through the DMV, we have no idea, but anecdotal evidence suggests it was quite a few.

But a program that’s supposed to make things easier should do just that. Whatever the reasons the DMV’s voter registration program may have failed in certain circumstances, those reasons need to be identified and fixed.

A BIG CHEER is due for local athletes after an impressive final weekend of fall sports.

On the gridiron, three area teams — Glacier (Class AA), Polson (Class A) and Bigfork (Class B) reached the semifinals of state football playoffs. The Wolfpack, Pirates and Vikings fell during those games, but that doesn’t take away from the sterling seasons these three teams had in reaching the final fours in Montana football.

Going one notch better were the Flathead Bravettes, who fought their way back to the championship game in Class AA volleyball last weekend and wound up with a second-place trophy for their efforts at the net.

Congratulations on great seasons to all the young athletes on our local teams.

AN INTERNATIONAL connection was forged recently when Flathead Valley Community College hosted a two-week visit by Chinese educational leaders.

The Chinese administrators and teachers got a close look at FVCC programs, the Flathead Valley community and enjoyed a variety of local cultural experiences.

The delegation’s visit was capped by an agreement to explore exchanges of students and faculty between the college and its Chinese counterparts.

Congratulations to FVCC for once again taking a leadership role in education.