Lincoln County commissioners debate limiting two ballot drop boxes, ask staff to draft resolution for March 4

A discussion about whether to remove or limit two ballot drop boxes dominated public comment at the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 18, 2026, as commissioners weighed voter convenience against staffing costs and differing interpretations of state law.

The chair introduced the agenda item noting an opinion from the county attorney that drop boxes “do not need to be manned except on election day,” and an estimated staffing cost of about $18,680 to staff the Troy and Libby locations during a primary election. Election administrator Melanie told the board she had also asked the state for guidance and that the state interpreted the statute differently.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the county needs a clear, administrable rule before the upcoming school elections and that any change should be spelled out in a resolution. Staff will draft language specifying which boxes will be closed on election day and when, and the board scheduled the item for formal consideration at its March 4 meeting.

Public commenters split over the proposal. Mayor Boswell of Troy said removing the Troy box would be “an inconvenience for the people of Troy” and offered city police assistance to transport ballots if needed, adding that the location is secure and used by residents. An election judge and other staff described 13- and 12-hour shifts on election day working remote boxes, difficulty accessing restrooms and reluctance by dispatch to allow judges into secured areas — arguments county staff cited in favor of consolidation.

Several speakers encouraged a middle-ground approach: close certain remote boxes on election day and direct voters to nearby polling sites that remain open, while preserving after-hours convenience where warranted. Commissioners said other Montana counties have removed remote boxes to save on judges and related costs; some counties retain a drive-up, election-day-only option.

A commissioner moved to close the Troy drop box on election day (keeping it available at other times), relocate the Libby box to the elections office, and leave the Eureka box unchanged. The board directed staff to draft a clear resolution reflecting those changes and to return the item for a formal vote on March 4 so members who will be traveling or engaged in state certification can participate.

Details and clarifications from the meeting

- Staffing estimate: The chair cited about $18,680 as the estimated cost to staff Troy and Libby boxes through a primary election period if judges staffed remote boxes for the full early-voting period; the county attorney’s earlier email suggested manning might be required only on election day, which would substantially reduce costs. - Ballot counts: Officials said 106 ballots were returned at the Troy box in the prior election cycle. - Chain-of-custody and security: Commissioners noted remote boxes are in secure, 24/7-monitored lobbies or law-enforcement locations; concerns were mostly operational (staffing, judge safety and comfort) rather than surveillance or camera coverage. - Convenience trade-offs: Libby’s drop-box lobby is accessible 24/7 and used by residents finishing errands, while some argued most residents either mail ballots or drop them at the elections office or polling place.

What’s next: Staff will draft a resolution specifying which boxes will be closed on election day and which will remain available, with the item scheduled for the board’s March 4 meeting for final consideration.