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Commissioners revise polling‑place resolution after staff and public raise corrections, legal questions
Summary
The board reviewed Resolution 2026‑09 to designate polling places and two 24/7 ballot drop kiosks, directed corrections (add precincts, correct Troy kiosk location), and discussed statutory language (MCA 13-9-307) about who designates dropbox locations and staffing requirements; the board did not finalize the resolution and will return it with corrections and legal review.
Lincoln County commissioners read and discussed Resolution 2026‑09 March 4, which would designate polling‑place locations and two 24/7 ballot drop kiosks.
Election staff identified specific corrections: add precincts 15 and 16 to the Eureka listing; change the Troy drop‑box address to the Troy Police Department lobby (the Secretary of State lists that location); and clarify handling of mail‑out school elections. Staff explained that mail‑out elections (commonly school elections) typically require either judges at a staffed drop location on election day or directing voters to mail ballots or return them to the election office.
A public commenter and local attorney cited MCA 13‑9‑307 and said the statute designates the election administrator’s authority to set deposit locations and that those locations must be staffed by at least two election officials while accessible. County staff said the county attorney has provided a differing legal opinion; commissioners agreed to research the statutory interpretation and correct the resolution language.
Because of those technical corrections and the legal issue regarding authority and staffing, the board decided to revise the draft and bring it back to the next meeting rather than vote on adoption immediately.
Why it matters: The resolution will determine where voters may cast ballots in person and where secure drop boxes will be located and staffed; the board directed staff to reconcile state law and the county attorney’s opinion before adopting final language.
