Elections
The Election Office is responsible for the administration of all federal, state, county and special purpose district elections in Broadwater County. School Elections and Municipal Elections may also be administered by the County Election Administrator, Angie Paulsen, by request of the district or city.
Broadwater County represents Congressional District 2, Senate District 39 and House District 77. Along with administering these elections, we maintain a voter registration file of about 5,500 voters over 5 precincts in the county.
IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES:
BROADWATER COUNTY ELECTION JUDGE TRAINING
Do you feel called to serve your Community?
ELECTION JUDGE TRAINING IS SCHEDULED FOR
WHAT IS AN ELECTION JUDGE?
During an election, election judges sign in voters, hand out ballots, and implement election laws to protect the privacy and the privileges of voters. If you are 18 years or older, a registered voter, enjoy working with people, do not mind working a long day and want to be paid for having fun, then you will enjoy being an election judge. All former judges must attend this meeting to continue serving as an election judge. Please RSVP via PHONE 406-266-3405 or email ELECTIONS@CO.BROADWATER.MT.US to notify Broadwater County Election’s Office that you are attending the training.
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NOTICE is hereby given that regular registration for the FEDERAL PRIMARY ELECTION to be held on JUNE 4, 2024, will close at 5:00 PM on MAY 6, 2024.
*NOTE: If you miss this regular registration deadline, you may still register for the election by showing up at the county election office up to and including on Election Day. Between noon and the close of business on the day before Election Day, you can complete and submit a voter registration application, but you will need to return to the local election office on Election Day to pick up and vote a ballot.
Inactive electors may reactivate by appearing at the polling place in order to vote, by requesting an absentee ballot in any election, or by notifying the County Election Administrator in writing of the elector’s current residence in the county.
Persons who wish to register and who are not presently registered may do so by submitting a form for registration by mail or by appearing before the County Election Administrator. If you have moved, it is necessary to have your registration transferred to your present address.
NOTICE is hereby given that ballots will be mailed to the voters on April 22, 2024, for the election of two (2) Townsend School District #1 Board of Trustees for three-year terms. The candidates who have filed for office are:
The Townsend School District #1 election will be conducted by MAIL BALLOT ONLY. The regular polling places will not be open.
The place of deposit and the days and times when ballots may be returned to the place of deposit before election day and on election day are:
In order to be counted, ballots must be received at the election office by 8:00 PM on Election Day, May 7, 2024.
If you have questions about your ballot please call 406-266-3405. If you believe you should receive a ballot and did not, ballot(s) may be obtained at the Clerk and Recorder’s office.
DATED this 2nd day of April, 2024.
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NOTICE of Trustee candidates who can be placed on the school election ballot for 3 year-terms, along with cancelation of 1-year term election to be appointed by acclamation.
Please be advised that the following candidates have officially filed to run for a School Board Trustee position and will be placed on the school election ballot:
Board Trustee 3-year term
IT IS HEREBY DECLARED, pursuant to § 13-1-304 MCA, that it is not necessary to hold a Townsend School District No. 1 Board Trustee 1-year term election and the governing body of the Townsend School District No. 1 may declare the below candidate to be elected to the position by acclamation on May 8, 2024:
Board Trustee 1-year term
Daniel Truesdell
Dated and effective this 29th day of March 2024
/s/ ANGIE PAULSEN, BROADWATER COUNTY Clerk and Recorder | Elections Administrator | County Surveyor
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to § 13-14-115 (d) MCA, that a primary election for Broadwater County nonpartisan offices need not be held, as fewer than three candidates have filed for office.
IT IS HEREBY DECLARED, pursuant to § 13-14-115 (2) (b) MCA, that it is not necessary to hold a nonpartisan primary election for the following Broadwater County offices:
The offices and the candidates who filed for said offices will not appear on the June 4, 2024, primary ballot and will be qualified to appear on the November 5, 2024, general ballot.
Dated and effective this 19th day of March 2024
/s/ ANGIE PAULSEN, BROADWATER COUNTY Clerk and Recorder | Elections Administrator | County Surveyor
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BROADWATER COUNTY FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS:
https://sosmt.gov/elections/results/
SIGN UP TO BE AN ELECTION JUDGE:
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ELECTION POLLING PLACES for Federal Elections
NOTICE is hereby given that the polling places for 2024 BROADWATER COUNTY General Election:
PRECINCT 1- Accessible
WINSTON Fire Hall, 6467 Hwy-287, Winston, MT 59647
PRECINCT 7, 11 and 12 - Accessible
TOWNSEND School Library Community Room, 201 N. Spruce St., Townsend, MT 59644
PRECINCT 13 - Accessible
TOSTON Fire Hall, 8852 Hwy-287, Toston, MT 59643
POLLS OPEN 7 A.M. UNTIL 8 P.M.
/s/ ANGIE PAULSEN, BROADWATER COUNTY Clerk and Recorder | Elections Administrator | County Surveyor
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Voter FAQs
(Q) I am not signed up for absentee. Will I still get a ballot?
(A) If an election is being conducted by mail-ballot, all active registered Broadwater County voters will receive a ballot.
(Q) Do I have to return my ballot in the mail?
(A) No. Absentee and mail ballots can be dropped off at places of deposit or the Broadwater County Elections Department. A full list of drop locations can be found on the instructions that are included in the ballot packet received in the mail.
(Q) How do I know if my ballot has been accepted?
(A) For federal and statewide elections, you can track your ballot status using the My Voter Page at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo, from “Sent” to “Processed” to “Accepted”. In all other elections, you may contact the Elections Department.
(Q) How do you verify my signature?
(A) All signed forms received at the elections office are scanned into the elector’s record, giving multiple exhibits for each voter’s signature.
(Q) When is my ballot due by?
(A) Ballots must be in our possession—either in the office or at a place of deposit—by 8 PM on Election Day.
(Q) When do ballots get counted?
(A) In Broadwater County, we begin counting ballots the Monday before Election Day.
(Q) What if my signature does not match?
(A) If our office is unable to process a ballot, we are obligated to inform the voter to rectify the problem in the most expedient method available (13-13-245, MCA). This is normally conducted via phone call.
(Q) What do I use to mark my ballot?
(A) Use blue or black ink, as red is not readable by the tabulators. Do not use a felt-tipped pen, as it will bleed through the ballot and not be readable by the tabulators.
(Q) Can mail/absentee ballots be forwarded?
(A) No. Due to postal regulations, ballots are neither forwarded nor held. These ballots are immediately returned to the Elections Department and a forwardable notice is sent to the voter notifying them that their ballot is undeliverable as addressed.
(Q) How do I cancel my voter registration?
(A) Submit a written request for cancellation that includes your name, date of birth, and the residential address where you were registered to vote in Broadwater County. Sign the request and email it to Elections@co.broadwater.mt.us or mail it to Elections Department, 515 Broadway, Townsend, MT 59644
Staff Contacts
| Name | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Angie Paulsen | Election Administrator | (406) 266-3405 |
| Tacy Swanton | Elections Assistant | (406) 266-9210 |