This election season – Your voice and your vote matters!

DEMOCRACY FOR ALL 

In response to the current federal administration desperately trying to keep eligible voters from participating in our democracy, Northern Plains Resource Council has taken a stand toward enshrining our democratic rights, protecting our vote, empowering members to meet with and support their local election workers, and building community and rapport through organizing.

Click here to read our Declaration of Values

By: John Kennedy, Billings, MT

Members on the Move

Northern Plains Resource Council members are reaching out to their decision makers, county election officials, and other stakeholders to hold intentional meetings in an effort to better understand what it takes to run and administer their local elections, identify any concerns these folks may be feeling, and offer support to them through this process. Building these relationships, volunteering to help with the election process, and engaging their communities, are a few of the ways members are moving the needle.

Hear more about our members work below! 
The training we received at the Northern Plains Resource Council workshop really helped us to jump-start our election-protection work in Gallatin County. We recently met with our election administrator and election manager to discuss their concerns about the November election, share our concerns, and see how we could help them. We discovered they were eager to discuss all they are doing to prepare for the election . . . They have solid faith in Montana election laws and other county election officials to safeguard our election . . . They were delighted that we offered to help recruit election workers.
Will Swearingen
Will SwearingenNPRC member, Bozeman
The importance of the work - re-humanizing our elected officials (and myself) as just members of the same community, neighbors even, who believe in the process and want to see it through without outside interference - convinced me that it was worth any discomfort . . . My experience is that this has restored/bolstered my faith in our democracy as well as reinforced my conviction to ensure we keep it. I’m so grateful that Northern Plains Resource Council has been conducting this work and that we have a way forward.
Mary Kerber
Mary KerberNPRC member, Great Falls
I was one of nine Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council members who met with the Yellowstone County election administrator. As she explained the ballot collecting, counting, and verification procedures, I was impressed with the many local safeguards in place to protect ballots and the integrity of the election, and the extensive efforts made to ensure that all valid ballots get counted . . . We pledged our support to the elections office in encouraging folks to serve as election judges, and to spread the word about the security of the local process. I left that meeting feeling grateful and positive about the local elections processes.
Elizabeth Liggett
Elizabeth Liggett Chaplain, Billings

Party to the polls! – Make your plan to vote

Our grassroots fights for a non-partisan judiciary, clean air and water, affordable housing, more access and pathways into sustainable agriculture, and keeping data centers and big tech out of our backyard, hinge on our right to vote. Our American democracy dictates that We, The People, get to choose who reflects our values, desires, and concerns; who represents us.
 
Need some help making a plan to vote? Below are a few simple steps to ensure you’re ready to cast your ballot!
STEP 1: Register to Vote!
  • Follow this link to make sure your registration accurately reflects your current addresses and name. If you need to make any updates, that link will direct you to your local county election office. It will also provide information about the polling places in your county. If you still have questions, find your local election office and give them a call or visit. You can also call 1-866-OUR-VOTE for any questions or concerns leading up to or on Election Day.
Click here to make sure your registration is up to date!
  • Not registered to vote? Here’s a link to a voter registration form. This form can be printed, filled out, and mailed to your local election office. Alternatively, you can walk into your local election office and do it all there! If you request an absentee ballot, you can expect that to come about 25 days before Election Day. If you request an absentee ballot within the Late Registration (30 days before the election), you must pick it up at your local election office. If you still have questions, find your local election office and give them a call or visit here.
Click here for a voter registration form!
STEP 2: Make a plan!

Alright, you’re registered to vote, and your registration is up to date; time to make a plan! Are you mailing in an absentee ballot? Are you going to drop it off at the election office before Election Day? Are you voting ON Election Day? You’ve gotta make that call. Oh, and one more thing – once you’ve made your plan, make sure your your friends, family, and other members of the community do the same. Participation in our democratic process is essential to the American experience!

STEP 3: Party! 

Voting shouldn’t be a chore, nor should it be boring. It’s exciting! It’s a tradition that has bonded Americans since the country’s inception and a chance to choose the people who will represent us. Bring a friend to the polls with you – bring ten! It’s up to us to model good vibes and ensure that folks have a positive experience with voting.

Click here to download the "Party to the Polls" handout!

Key Dates

  • Monday, October 5
    • Close of Regular Voter Registration: All forms collected in the field or submitted by mail are due to county election offices. Forms mailed and postmarked by this date received by October 8th will be processed.
    • Ballots for a polling place location must be available for in person voting to absentee voters.
    • Absentee ballots available on request at county Election Offices for early, in-person voting.
  • Friday, October 9
    • Ballots mailed to absentee voters
  • Tuesday, October 27
    • Recommended deadline to mail back absentee ballots
      • After this day, voters should hand deliver their absentee ballots to a county election office or authorized drop off location
  • Friday, October 30
    • Voter registration ends for the weekend when county election offices close at 5pm. Some counties may offer optional extended hours
  • Saturday, October 31
    • Happy Halloween! Some county election offices may open for voter registration and services. Inquire locally in your county.
  • Monday, November 2
    • County offices close at 12pm in anticipation of the general election on the next day; early voting and registration are available while offices are open on this day.
  • Tuesday, November 3 
    • GENERAL ELECTION DAY
    • Polls open 7am-8pm
      • *some smaller counties have polling places that open later, but by 12pm
    • If voters need to register to vote, they will need to go to their county election office.
    • Voters in line by 8pm MUST be served
    • All absentee ballots MUST BE RECEIVED by 8pm. Voters who still have an absentee ballot today should hand them into their county election office or designated drop-off location

Want to get involved in local election protection efforts? 

Contact Max at max@northernplains.org or (406) 248-1154 to get plugged in! 

The Great Falls Election Protection team debriefing after a meeting!