Mail-in ballot elections could save money

I urge you to call the House Judiciary Committee at 406-444-4800 before their hearing on Thursday, March 23 at 8 a.m. Ask them to support a fair special election process for Montana by voting yes for Senate Bill 305, a bill by Republican Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick of Great Falls. This bill will save Flathead County about $100,000; statewide estimates are up to $1 million in savings.

SB 305 is a bill to establish the special election voting process and to enable vote-by-mail ballots across Montana (including regional drop boxes). It is sensible and prudent to be fiscally wise and support a statewide vote-by-mail process for the special election on May 25 between Rob Quist and Greg Gianforte. It would be an irresponsible and incongruent decision for the fiscally aware Republican Party to support doing otherwise. Voters can simply mail back their ballots or take them to drop boxes; these are trustworthy and efficient methods to return ballots.

County Election Department budgets are already tapped out due to reprinting ballots from the last election. All Flathead County Commissioners recently endorsed a vote-by-mail resolution for Flathead County. Call 406-444-4800 and ask House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Alan Doane, and the entire committee, for a “Do Pass” of SB 305. Local members on the Judiciary Committee are Rep. Zac Perry and Rep. Matt Regier. Thank you, it’s the right thing to do — save money and make the election process available to all.

Joan Vetter Ehrenberg, Whitefish