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Election news from Yellowstone Public Radio and its partners to help you make an informed decision at the polls.

Over 40% of absentee ballots have been returned for Tuesday's primary

A Montana primary election ballot in its return envelope
Nicky Ouellet
/
Yellowstone Public Radio/File photo

Nearly 200,000 absentee ballots have already been cast in Montana’s June 7 primary. According to data from the Secretary of State’s office from Sunday night, 44% of absentee ballots sent to voters ahead of election day have been returned.

That means total voter turnout heading into the primary is at least 28%.

It is now too late to register to vote. The deadline was noon Monday.

The law ending Election Day voter registration is being challenged in district court; however, the Montana Supreme Court ruled it will remain in effect for the June 7 primary. Another new law requires voters to show photo identification when they cast a ballot.

Polls on Tuesday, June 7, open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Primary elections in Montana and six other states on Tuesday — in California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota — will set the stage for U.S. House and Senate battles this fall that will play into the control of Congress.

Copyright 2022 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Corin Cates-Carney is the Flathead Valley reporter for MTPR.