City Council elections underway today

Municipal elections are underway today in Flathead County, with contested City Council races in all three of the county’s incorporated cities.

Kalispell voters go to the polls at the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds, where polls are open until 8 p.m.

Mail-ballot elections are being conducted for Whitefish and Columbia Falls.

Voters in Kalispell or Whitefish who haven’t turned their ballots in yet need to bring them to the Election Department in the South Campus Building, 40 11th St. W., Room 230, in Kalispell, by 8 p.m. Columbia Falls voters can turn in their mail ballots at Columbia Fall City Hall until 8 p.m.

Kalispell has only one contested race, in Ward 3, where incumbent Rod Kuntz faces a challenge from Ryan Hunter.

In Ward 1, incumbent Kari Gabriel is seeking re-election with no opposition.

In Ward 2, incumbent Wayne Saverud is not seeking another term, and Sam Nunnally is running unopposed for Saverud’s seat.

In Ward 4, Sid Daoud is running unopposed for the seat currently held by Phil Guiffrida, who is not seeking re-election.

Whitefish has a five-way race for three open City Council positions. Frank Sweeney is the lone incumbent seeking re-election. Council members Richard Hildner and Katie Williams are not running for re-election.

Joining Sweeney in the Whitefish election are Ben Davis, Rebecca Norton, Harry “Hap” Peters and Steve Qunell. Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld is running unopposed for a third four-year term.

In Columbia Falls, all three incumbents whose terms are expiring are running for re-election. They include Darin Fisher, Doug Karper and John Piper. Newcomers seeking a council seat are Steve Hughes and Clay Lundgren, setting up a five-way race for the three seats.