Election administrator proposes removing two satellite ballot dropboxes; commissioners delay decision pending public input

County Election Administrator Melanie told the commissioners that staffing and budget constraints make it difficult to staff three dropbox locations for an extended pre-election period, especially with two back-to-back elections. She cited MCA 13-1-9307 as the statutory authority that requires designated deposit locations to be accessible and said the district would need to provide two judges at each satellite location during the covered period.

Melanie presented estimated additional election-judge wage costs of $8,463 for the school election and $10,220.70 for the primary, a combined $18,683.70 if all satellite sites were staffed across both elections. She reported recent ballot counts showing the Troy dropbox received 106 ballots and the sheriff’s office location 207, while the election office handles more than 1,000 ballots; she said many Troy residents typically hand-deliver ballots to the election office rather than use the remote box.

Commissioners and staff discussed statutory ambiguity about manning requirements and compared local practice to other counties that maintain only the office dropbox or staff satellite sites only on election day. Commissioners expressed concern about accessibility for remote and elderly voters and the fiscal burden of continuous manning. The board opted not to take immediate action, asked staff to draft a single resolution that would designate which boxes remain open or closed, and scheduled further outreach and consideration—Commissioner Hammond said he would solicit input from his district before a final decision.

Public comment included Tony Wood urging legislative clarification of the statute to reduce confusion and fiscal burden on remote communities. The item will return on a future agenda for possible resolution.