Officials lay out alternate routes to Columbia Falls polling location amid construction work

Flathead County elections staff have mapped out alternate routes to the new polling place at the Columbia Falls Kids Foundation amid construction on Fourth Avenue West.  

Motorists heading to the Kids Foundation building at 540 Fourth Ave. W. from Ninth Street West will find their way blocked. Elections Department staff recommended that voters headed to the polls from the west side of town take Ninth Street West and turn left on the Truck Route, following the road as it snakes around Glacier Gateway Elementary School until it links up with Fourth Avenue West.  

Voters should take a right at that intersection and park streetside or in the school lot, officials said. Street parking directly in front of the Kids Foundation will be reserved as temporary handicap spots, said Flathead County Elections Administrator Paula Buff.  

Voters can also take Nucleus Avenue and turn onto Fourth Street West or Third Street West as both will lead to Fourth Avenue West.  

On Election Day, sandwich signs will be placed along Ninth Street West, Nucleus Avenue and other streets adjacent to the polling location to help guide voters. Buff is also recruiting volunteers to wear bright vests and direct traffic to the polling location.  

This is the first time the Kids Foundation has been used as a polling location in Columbia Falls.  

VOTERS SHOULD also be aware of minor changes to two polling places in Whitefish.  

Those who plan to vote at the Roy Duff Memorial Armory Building at 305 Armory Road will need to 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. 

Polls open for in-person voting at 7 a.m., June 2 and close at 8 p.m. For more information, visit the Flathead County Elections Department online at flatheadcounty.gov, call 406-758-5535 or email at elections@flatheadcounty.gov.   

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.

    A map from the Flathead County Elections Department shows open streets (highlighted green) and closed streets (highlighted red) in a Columbia Falls neighborhood adjacent to the new polling place at Columbia Falls Kids Foundation off Fourth Avenue West. (Courtesy photo)