Troy opts for mail-in ballot for fall election

The City of Troy on Wednesday became the fourth and final municipal in Lincoln County to pass a resolution to hold its fall election by mail-in ballot.

“My thought is that you might get more people (to participate) if all they have to do is stick a ballot in the mail,” councilmember Laura Schrader said before the 3-1 vote.

Schrader, Don Banning and Larry Baker voted for the measure and Larry Coryell voted against.

Troy, Rexford, Eureka and Libby municipals contract the county to hold their elections. Rexford has always held mail-in elections, and the remaining municipals have agreed to try it out this year.

Absentee voters and mail-in election voters have traditionally either paid postage to mail their ballots back or have dropped off their ballots.

Schrader was not perceptive to the idea of making Troy voters pay postage, and clerk of court Sandra Johnson said she would look into the matter.

“I think it’d be a better service to the City of Troy,” Schrader said, “if (ballots) were pre-stamped.”

Schrader added that the city has an election budget and that with only 654 registered voters last year, the cost would be minimal.

Troy may pay for return postage if it wishes, county election administrator Tammy Lauer said later during an interview, though in her experience more people opt to drop off their ballot.

Lauer and assistant election administrator Leigh Riggleman requested the cities to consider mail-in elections because they believe they are cheaper and more convenient for voters and the county.

The convenience is being able to research the candidates and fill out the ballot at home, and then drop it off or mail it in when the voter has the time, Riggleman said. There is no standing in line or having to be available at a specific time on a specific day.

The mail-in election won’t save an exorbitant amount of money, Riggleman said, but it has been shown to increase voter turnout and allows the county tighter control over ballots.

Nearly one-third of Lincoln County voters already vote through the mail by absentee ballot, according to Riggleman. Young people with hectic schedules and older people with trouble getting around are a few of the demographics that already opt for mail-in ballots.

The changeover this fall will not be a trial for the county, Lauer said, but a way to show municipals the convenience of mail-in elections.

“We already know how it works and what to expect,” said Lauer, pointing out that the county has performed several mail-in elections in the past. “It’s a chance for people to experience the mail ballot process and trust it, and for the cities to trust it.”

In other news from Wednesday’s meeting, the council unanimously voted to grant four business licenses: Montana Mountain Healing Center, Good Medicine Therapy Center, KSM Designs and Troy Assembly of God Church.

Montana Mountain Healing Center is a natural healing business with retail products located at 202 S. Seventh St. Good Medicine Therapy Center for mental health therapy is located at 207 Fourth St., Suite C.

Kathy Hesenkemper received a business license for KSM Designs so that she could buy supplies wholesale for her handmade purses and beadwork. She has a studio detached from her home at 402 Missoula Ave.

The Troy Assembly of God youth group received a business license to sell fireworks from June 24 through July 4.

The council also unanimously voted for Ed Hanson to continue on the city’s police commission for an additional three years. He had already served a three-year term on the commission.