The June primary election is underway in Montana

Voters are heading to the polls today to choose their preferred candidate in local, state and federal primary races.  

Montana’s open primary election laws means voters can choose which party primary to participate in, but they are then limited to that party’s slate of candidates. Voters cannot, for example, vote in a race on one party’s ballot and a second race featured on another party’s ballot.  

Declared winners from the June 2 primary will go on to compete on the November ballot.  

Polls are open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s too late to mail absentee ballots, but they can be dropped off at any polling place in Flathead County. Drop boxes are also available at the Election Department in the Flathead County Northwest Complex Building at 290 B N. Main St. in Kalispell and the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds at 265 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell.  

Absentee ballots must include the voter’s signature and year of birth on the affirmation envelope to be counted.  

Voters registering in-person at the polls must provide a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or U.S. passport; a tribal ID; or a Montana university student ID. Election judges will also accept a photo ID alongside a document that shows the voter’s name and physical address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, pay stub or government document.  

The polling location in Columbia Falls is in the Kids Foundation building at 540 Fourth Ave. W. Motorists traveling there from Ninth Street West likely will find their way blocked by road construction.  

Voters coming from the west side of town should turn left on the Truck Route from Ninth Street West, then turn left on Fourth Avenue West at the intersection. Voters can also take Nucleus Avenue and turn onto Fourth Street West or Third Street West, as both lead to Fourth Avenue West.  

Those who plan to vote at the Roy Duff Memorial Building at 305 Armory Road in Whitefish must take Dodger Lane or Birch Drive from Second Street East, as Armory Road is closed for construction.  

Also, the polling location formerly housed at the First Baptist Church of Whitefish has moved to Whitefish Moose Lodge at 230 W. 10th St. 

IN COUNTY races, Evie Cahalen and Brian Heino are vying for Flathead County sheriff while Cheryl Hohman and Sheena Sterling are squaring off for the position of county clerk and recorder in the GOP primary. With no candidates from other parties filed in those races, the primary election will decide who will hold the roles.  

Two Democrats are squaring off in the race for Flathead County Commissioner District 1. The winner will run against Republican incumbent Brad Abell and Independent Casey Malmquist in November. 

A slew of state and federal races will also appear on the Democratic and Republican primary ballots, including who will vie to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines in November. 

Several primary races for the state Legislature also appear on the ballots.  

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or hshields@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.