Absentee voting begins for 2022 midterms

Absentee ballots for the Nov. 8 general election are set to arrive in area mailboxes this week, and voters will be asked to consider a full slate of statewide and local candidates, as well as four ballot issues.

In local races, voters will decide on two Sanders County commissioner seats. Mahlon Lee and John Holland are vying for the commission’s district 2 seat, while Dan Rowan and Adam Bache are in the race for district 1. The commission race is considered nonpartisan.

Sanders County voters will also be asked to choose a new sheriff. That nonpartisan race pits Roy Scott against Shawn Fielders.

The two nonpartisan candidates for county coroner are Martin Spring and Pat Barber. Justice of the Peace candidates are Carl Marquardt and Doug Dryden.

Nichol Scribner and Kathleen French are vying for the Superintendent of Schools position.

Voters in House District 13 will choose between Republican incumbent Paul Fielder and Democrat Colleen Hinds.

Republican Denley Loge is unchallenged in House District 14.

Heron, Noxon, Trout Creek and Thompson Falls voters will voter for two separate Conservation District supervisors.

All county voters will consider a 3% local-option tax on medical and recreational marijuana.

Sample ballots are posted online at co.sanders.mt.us. You can track your absentee ballot at app.mt.gov/voterinfo/.

People can register to vote at sosmt.gov, or at the county election office.