Voters Flock to Polls

This year for the first time, Montanans were allowed to register and vote in county election offices through the close of polls on Election Day. Additionally, several voting by mail reforms were made by the 2005 legislature. Montana Conservation Voters was instrumental in achieving these changes, and is now monitoring voting problems and irregularities in Tuesday's election, including issues associated with provisional ballots.

Still, the new laws appear to have dramatically improved voter participation, particularly for a midterm election, and voting by mail shattered previous records. Nearly two-thirds of Montana's registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday's election - a strong turnout compared with recent midterm elections – and the unofficial voter turnout, according to the Secretary of State, was 63.5 of registered voters. Compared to the national average of 40.5% of the eligible electorate, Montana voters made clear to their elected officials that the power of their vote is worth exercising.