Town ballots mailed next week

The general municipal election for the Town of Ekalaka will be a mail ballot election this year. On Wednesday, October 15 the Carter County Clerk and Recorder’s Office will mail ballots to all registered active voters who reside within the boundaries of Ekalaka. Active electors will be able to vote in the privacy of their own homes.

Each registered elector in the town will receive an individual ballot packet. Electors will vote their individual ballots, seal them in the secrecy envelope provided in the packet, place the secrecy envelope in the return envelope with the signed affidavit on its back and return that envelope to the clerk’s office at the courthouse.

Up for election is the mayor position, one position for a four-year term on the town council, and two positions for two-year terms on the council.

Lennet I. Cantwell has filed for the four-year term as mayor. Melissa Lovec has filed for the four-year term on the town council.

Four individuals have filed to fill the two, 2-year positions on the town council. Those four individuals are Elizabeth Barth, Jonathan Champlin, A.J. Limberger and Jimmy W. Mackay. Barth, Limberger and Mackay currently serve on the town council along with Raquel Mitchell. Mitchell was elected to a four-year term in November, 2019.

Voters who fail to sign and date the affidavit envelope included in the packet may not have their ballot counted, though the office will attempt to reach any voter who failed to sign or date.

All voted ballots must be returned to the clerk and recorder’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2. The ballots may be hand delivered or mailed to the office at Box 315 Ekalaka, MT 59324. Keep in mind postal delivery times if mailing.

Voters who reside in the same household must not enclose ballots together in the same secrecy envelope. Ballots must be deposited in individual secrecy envelopes.

For questions regarding the Ekalaka municipal election, contact the Carter County Clerk and Recorder’s Office at 406-775-8749. The ballots will be counted on Tuesday evening, November 2 in the commission meeting room at Carter County Courthouse.