Butte‑Silver Bow ADA advisory readies accessible voting support, outlines courthouse parking plan

The Butte‑Silver Bow ADA Advisory Committee received updates May 21 from ADA coordinator James Ouellette on election accessibility and facilities planning, including volunteer recruitment for accessible voting and a plan to convert a courthouse back lot into accessible parking.

Ouellette said an accessible voting meeting will be held June 2 at the Civic Center, and that ExpressVote machines will be available to support independent voting. He asked volunteers to contact him by email to assist; the transcript records that Alice De Chelley and Chair Cassie Weightman volunteered to help with a 2:00 p.m. shift on June 2. Ouellette noted that primary elections generally require shorter staffing commitments than general elections and that same‑day registration increases staffing needs. He also reminded the committee that campaign attire is prohibited inside voting locations.

On facilities, Ouellette described plans to convert the back lot at the courthouse into an accessible parking area, saying the project would include repaving and restriping to meet accessibility needs. Committee members discussed which departments to invite for future meetings to coordinate project planning; Emergency Management and Public Works were identified as priorities, though Emergency Management scheduling may be delayed because of summer fire‑season demands.

Members noted ADA training resources available from the Rocky Mountain ADA Center in Butte and the New England ADA Center. The committee did not take any votes; items were discussed for planning and volunteer organization ahead of the June events.