Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Flathead County

As a memorably divisive midterm election season draws to a close, there seems to be one point of agreement that crosses party lines: People will be grateful their TVs will no longer batter them with strident political ads.

In statewide races, voters in Flathead County will cast ballots in the hotly contested races for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

In the former, incumbent Jon Tester, a Democrat, faces Republican challenger Matt Rosendale and Libertarian candidate Rick Breckenridge.

In the House race, incumbent Greg Gianforte, a Republican, faces challenger Kathleen Williams, a Democrat, and Elinor Swanson, a Libertarian.

Voters will consider two ballot initiatives that have stirred a lot of advertising by both fans and opponents: I-185 and I-186.

Separately, Legislative Referendum 128 asks voters whether to continue the 6-mill levy that supports Montana’s public colleges and universities. And Legislative Referendum 129 would prohibit a person from collecting another’s ballot, with exceptions.

Contested local races include the District 3 county commissioner race, a seat for which Republican Randy Brodehl and Democrat Tom Clark are vying.

There are 10 contested races for state representative district seats, one contested race for the state senate and a contested justice of the peace race between William Managhan and Paul Sullivan.

To learn more about I-186 and I-185 and local races and candidates, go to: www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local-elections.

A sample ballot and a list of polling places can be found at https://flathead.mt.gov/election/.

Flathead County polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

People can still register to vote at the Flathead County Election Department office, 40 11th St. W., Suite 230, Kalispell.

Reporter Duncan Adams may be reached at dadams@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4407.