Common voting pitfalls and how to avoid them

As the general election approaches, many students have been encouraged to register to vote, but may not know what comes next. On Oct. 1, Mary Jane McGarity reached out to the Exponent to share her perspective as a former Gallatin County election official. 

“It was discouraging to see so many first-time voters — MSU freshman — arrive at the polls only to be turned away for a variety of legitimate reasons,” she wrote. 

At this point, absentee ballots have been mailed out. However, in Montana, voters can still complete in-person registration through Election Day on Nov. 5. 

Kailey Forrey, an employee of Forward Montana, explained that while third parties such as nonprofits can no longer help voters register, it is still possible to get registered. “People can go to their election office in Gallatin County [to complete registration]. We have our election office next to Wells Fargo on Main Street,” Forrey said.

Forrey also advised voters to carefully read over registration forms: “The biggest mistake on voter registration forms is that people will forget to check all the boxes for confirming citizenship, and that's really important,” they said. 

McGarity explained that not a lot of guidance is provided for first-time voters on how to cast their ballots. She wrote that she has seen many MSU students turned away because of reasons such as lack of ID, recording an incorrect home address on voter registration and having absentee ballots be sent towns — or states — away from where the student lives.

Absentee ballots come with their own set of rules and it is important that voters understand and follow them. “If you get an absentee ballot in the mail, that’s your ballot. Don’t lose it because you cannot just get another one or show up at the polls on Election Day to vote,” McGarity said. “Don’t cast your ballot the night before Election Day and mail it. You need to deliver your ballot to the courthouse.”

It is recommended that voters mail ballots at least one week before Election Day to ensure ballots are received by the time the polls close. Closer to the election, ballots can be dropped off at the election office through Nov. 5 or at any polling place on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

If students have moved off campus or to a new address since they last voted, it is important to check what their new polling place will be. “Addresses change from year to year, especially for college students,” McGarity said. “When you register to vote, the address you note will be where your absentee ballot will be mailed and also determines your polling place and [district] candidates.”

McGarity explained that she had one student who’d been to four polling locations, each sending him to different locations around town. “If voters keep getting the runaround — see the election judge and insist on voting a provisional ballot,” she wrote.

Voters are not required to cast a vote in every election on the ballot. “Your ballot does not have to be completely filled in,” McGarity said. “If you don’t know who to support for school board, leave it blank.”

McGarity emphasized the importance of voting as a democratic process. “Voting is a precious responsibility provided to us as U.S. citizens,” she said. “In a democracy founded by and for the people, voting provides our chance to be heard.”

“Persist,” McGarity continued. “If you registered to vote and for some reason an issue has come up, ask to speak with an election judge. They can help.”

To check on Montana voter status visit https://prodvoterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx. For more information on how to vote, visit https://votemt.gov/.