Non-partisan Voting Guides and Information
May 22, 2008 | Filed Under Election 2008, Local Government | Leave a Comment
Here are some non-partisan resources for information about the issues and candidates on the Montana Primary Ballot, as well as state links describing the offices and the voting process/regulations:
- MT Conservation Voters: MT Primary
- Candidates for the Park County Commission: Responses to Questionnaire
- State Offices described
- Montana State Voting Information
The Montana Primary is June 3. You can register and vote before the election. Check out the Montana State Voting Information link above for more information. Vote now, anytime before June 3, or on June 3, but VOTE. There are a lot of good reasons to vote early. You will know your vote has been cast, and if something comes up to make it difficult for you to get to the polls on election day, you are all set.
One Stop Voting Facts: you can vote before the June 3 Primary
May 15, 2008 | Filed Under Election 2008, Local Government | Leave a Comment
Here are the facts about voting early with one stop at the City-County Building on Callender Street between D and E Streets in the Clerk & Recorders office. The Clerk’s Office is up the stairs and to the left.
- You can vote early at your local election office anytime between now and June 3, even if you are not already registered to vote. Visit your local election office and complete a registration form and ballot (Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM).
- Any eligible voter may register and vote in person by absentee ballot, even if he or she is able to vote in person on Election Day.
Phone numbers:
- Phone: 406-222-4111
- Phone: 406-222-4112
- Phone: 406-222-4117
VanAken and Jones win City Commission Election by wide margin
November 6, 2007 | Filed Under Seriously, Local Government | 1 Comment
9:40 P.M. I have word from the polls at the Fairground that Rick VanAken and Juliann Jones were the top vote getters in today’s Livingston City Commission Election. With two available seats and three candidates, the top two candidates win the election. VanAken is an incumbent since January 2007, filling the seat vacated when Bob Ebinger went to the Montana State Legislature. Jones, who has lived in town for over nine years (longer than incumbent Commissioner Grabow who made much of residency before and during her campaign), is a newcomer to the Livingston political stage. Both VanAken and Jones ran relatively low-key campaigns, but won by wide margins. They also led the voting in every single precinct.
The ballots have yet to be certified, but here are the unofficial 2007 Livingston City Commission election results:
| 2007 Livingston City Commissioner election (elect 2) | ||
| Rick VanAken (appointed this year to fill Bob Ebinger’s term) |
962
|
*** |
| Juiliann Jones | 706 | *** |
| Patricia Grabow (elected in 2004) |
525
|
Livingston has approximately 4500 registered voters, and the turnout of around 1079 with 386 absentee ballots–each voter could have voted for two people)–is notable for a single-race year without ballot issues. I’m sure there will be a lot of interesting punditry and speculation, but my own gut feeling is that people were weary of the constant bickering, or galvanized by the heat of this election, or both.
With a presidential race, and statewide elections (including the gubernatorial race) to turn out the voters, the numbers in 2004 were:
| 2004 Livingston City Commissioner (elect 2) | ||
| Bob Ebinger |
1849
|
*** |
| Patricia Grabow |
1486
|
*** |
| Frank Horiel |
1256
|
|
| Kester Clyde Romans Jr |
772
|
Congratulations to Rick and Juliann for their clean campaigns and a mandate-sized victory. I hope this heralds a new era in City politics, and that everyone will feel a fresh will to participate in community government.
Jones will be sworn in and begin her duties at the first City Commission meeting in January 2008. I don’t know if there is an official swearing in for incumbent VanAken.