UPDATE: 3:03 p.m. - Nov. 3. 2020
MISSOULA - Hundreds of voters gathered in line early Tuesday morning at the Missoula County Elections Center eager to take part in what’s shaping up to be a record-setting turnout.
Local elections officials reported on Tuesday afternoon that roughly 85% of the mail-in ballots issued had been returned or roughly 67,000 ballots.
The Missoula County Elections Office was reporting roughly 38,745 ballots have been counted so far. By comparison, the voter turnout in the last federal General Election in 2016 in Missoula County was just over 73%.
This year's election marked the first test of the county’s new elections center. The line snaked through the parking lot out to North Russell Street and parking has been difficult to find.
In an effort to ease congestion at the election headquarters, voters can park at McCormick Park in downtown Missoula where a shuttle will run every 15 minutes to the Elections Center.
The shuttle -- which will be running until midnight -- is being provided by ASUM Transportation.
There are also 11 ballot drop-off locations in Missoula County that will be open until 8 p.m.
Ballots can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Clearwater Credit Union (Reserve St.)
- Clinton School Annex
- Missoula County Fairgrounds
- Frenchtown Fire Station
- Lolo Elementary School
- McCormick Park
- Missoula Early Learning Center (Cold Springs)
- Potomac Greenough Community Center
- Seeley Lake Elementary School
- Spring Meadows Fire Station
- University of Montana (Adams Center)
- information from Jack Ginsburg, Melissa Rafferty and Mark Thorsell included in this report
(first report: 1:58 p.m. - Nov. 3, 2020)
A Tuesday afternoon update from the Missoula County Elections Office shows 85.12% of ballots have been returned for the General Election.
A social media posts shows that 67,652 ballots have been returned and that 38,745 ballots had been counted as of early Tuesday afternoon.
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A total 74.47% turnout of all Missoula County registered voters are being reported.
The wait to vote in person was about two hours as of approximately 1:30 p.m.
There are 11 ballot drop-off locations in Missoula County that will be open until 8 p.m.
Ballots can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Clearwater Credit Union (Reserve St.)
- Clinton School Annex
- Missoula County Fairgrounds
- Frenchtown Fire Station
- Lolo Elementary School
- McCormick Park
- Missoula Early Learning Center (Cold Springs)
- Potomac Greenough Community Center
- Seeley Lake Elementary School
- Spring Meadows Fire Station
- University of Montana (Adams Center)
