County election officials want separation from clerk and recorder

The Lincoln County Commissioners will continue a discussion at its Aug. 7 meeting of separating the election department from the clerk and recorder’s office.

The matter arose at the July 10 meeting when Election Administrator Melanie Howell presented the idea to the commissioners.

She and assistant Sierra Gustin cited many reasons for wanting to split the operations of the offices. Howell also cited state code that the Clerk and Recorder is the default election administrator unless another is appointed.

“When we had to move to the clerk and recorder’s office, the space we had was not big enough,” Howell said. “We’re doing several school elections and the infrastructure in elections involves continual training, so we don’t have too many slow days. In the last election we had nearly 100 judges approved, but 12 called on Election Day and couldn’t work, so we were able to quickly replace them. The clerk and recorder's office is not secure, the elevator makes us ADA accessible and the public has been frustrated with the shared phone system.”

Howell acknowledged the elevator at the sheriff’s office, but said older and disabled people had difficulties in finding parking and accessing it.

Howell also talked about the stress that comes from the work.

“Elections are a stressful job and the added stress that comes from the Clerk and Recorder office is just unacceptable and unneccesary,” she said.

The Election Department is located in the county’s Annex Building on Mineral Avenue in Libby. The Clerk and Recorder’s Office is located in the county courthouse on California Avenue.

Gustin also cited security concerns.

“The clerk and recorder office is highly unsecure for any election materials since it’s open to the public,” Gustin said. “I’ve gone over to grab mail that they may have accidentally gone to the clerk and recorder office and found voter registration forms that they have accepted with copes of driver’s licenses, veteran IDs, Social Security numbers and vehicle registrations which is highly unacceptable and unsecure.”

Howell and Gustin moved their operations to the courthouse on Nov. 22, 2023, after Clerk and Recorder Corrina Brown made the request. The only public notification that was made at the time was a note taped to the door of the elections office that says, “We are currently working in the Clerk and Recorders Office in the Courthouse. If immediate assistance is needed, please call us at 406-283-2302 or 406-283-2304.”

Brown said then that election department officials, “operating from the Clerk and Recorder's Office has become our standard practice.

“This arrangement offers numerous benefits, especially in ensuring adequate staffing coverage in both areas, which becomes particularly challenging during the holiday season. Bringing everyone together helps our communication and coordination. We all participate in elections and our shared workload benefits everyone. The Election Center is essential to our operations as it accommodates large groups as necessary and securely houses equipment and supplies,” Brown said. 

At the July 10 meeting, Brown said she didn’t see a need for a change. 

“Counties have varying approaches to how they run elections,” Brown said. “Having an election lead may allow for a more efficient and stream-lined process. I hope this discussion can enhance the election process.”

District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske wanted the proposal run by county Attorney Marcia Boris.

Howell also mentioned other counties such as Missoula, Glacier, Bighorn and Cascade have separated the election department from the Clerk and Recorder’s Office with no detriment.

District 3 Commissioner Josh Letcher said he understands the drive for secure elections, wanting everything in one place but also sees the need for cross-training in both offices so election department employees can help in the clerk and recorders office during the off season.

The discussion is set to begin at 11 a.m.