Lincoln County to draft resolution on restricting some ballot drop boxes on election day

Lincoln County commissioners on Feb. 18 debated limiting access to several ballot drop boxes and agreed to have staff draft a resolution specifying when and where boxes will be open.

Melody, the county election administrator, told the commission that the county attorney had advised boxes need to be manned only on election day, while state officials interpreted the statute differently. "We did it for just election day on the the last one," Melody said, citing a count of "106 ballots for Troy." She described operational strain: "She said she served from 7AM until 8:30PM when the deputy collected the boxes for the trip back to Libby. She said it was 13 and a half hours with no bathroom."

Commission staff estimated that staffing those remote drop sites for the primary could cost about $18,680. Commissioners discussed a compromise many counties use: keep boxes in place for convenience except close them on election day and direct voters to nearby polling places that remain open for the full voting period. "That would be an option that I'd like you to consider," the commission chair said, describing that polling places are typically within a block of the proposed closures.

Not all speakers favored closing boxes. Mayor Boswell of Troy urged keeping the Troy drop box, telling commissioners, "I do not support the removal of the ballot box in Troy," and offering that Troy Police Department could assist with transporting a box if needed. Brian Berryman, a Troy resident, said keeping a local box serves elderly voters and those who do not trust the mail: "If they can physically drop it off at a box, that's better for their mindset."

After public comment, Commissioner (S3) moved to close the Troy box on election day (leaving it open at other times), close the Libby box and move that function to the elections office, and leave the Eureka box unchanged. The motion received no second. The commission directed staff to draft a clear resolution specifying opening and closing times and locations and to return the matter to the March 4 meeting, with the election administrator present if possible.

The discussion centered on balancing voter convenience against the practical burden of providing judges and staffing secure handling for remote boxes. No formal vote to change box locations or hours occurred on Feb. 18; the commission expects a drafted resolution and further consideration at its next meeting.

The commission also handled routine administrative business earlier in the session, accepted a donation and invitation from the Tobacco Valley Rodeo Association, and adjourned after the ballot-box discussion.