Register To Vote in the November 3rd City Council Races Late Registration Starts October 6th

October 5^th was the end of regular voter registration, when citizens can mail in voter registration cards to cast a ballot in the November 3^rd city and town races. On October 6^th, voters may register up to and including the November 3^rd election day at their county election office, when they will be given an absentee ballot to cast for city races.

"Who we elect matters!" said Theresa Keaveny, Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund Executive Director. "That's so true in the November 3rd elections, when voters will pick city councils and commissions who will make decisions about community growth, energy conservation, parks, transportations, trails and recycling," she said.  "The people we elect locally will make decisions affecting us most directly," she said.

Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund is a ten year old grassroots group working to protect air, water, land and Montana's great quality of life by providing voter participation services to citizens across the state.

Keaveny said that many Montana towns and cities are now holding municipal elections using mailed ballots only, sent to "active" voters.  Polling places aren't used on Election Day in those towns and cities. Instead, ballots will be mailed out the week of October 12^th or 19^th.  Voters who are considered "inactive" are not sent ballots; voters who believe they should have received a ballot but didn't get one should contact their local election office.  Mailed ballots must be returned to the county election office or designated drop off places by 8 p.m. on November 3^rd. 

"Don't miss a chance to vote for the people who decide on public safety, fire protection in your neighborhood and city transportation," Keaveny said. "Sometimes these races are decided by a handful of votes, so every vote matters."

Montana residents who are U.S. citizens and 18 years of age or older are eligible to vote.  An identification card, driver's license or other form of government-issue ID is required to register.  Visit the Montana Secretary of State web site at http://sos.mt.gov/Elections/Voter_Information.asp#where or contact Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund at www.mtvotersedfund.org for information on how to register, and which cities and towns are conducting ballots only by mail, or with polling places on November 3^rd.