There was some confusion this year about whether Montana was holding a primary election or a caucus this past Tuesday. Apparently some information given out to media sources indicated that there would be a ballot election on Feb. 5. In fact, there was no primary election in Montana this week. There was, however, a Republican Caucus, in which the Republican Committee members cast their votes for their favorite candidates to lead the GOP into the 2008 Elections. The Primary Election for both Republicans and Democrats will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2008.
Results of Tuesday’s Presidential Caucus showed Mitt Romney as the favorite among most of Broadwater County and Montana Republicans. Locally, 13 votes were cast with Romney receiving 38%, Mike Huckabee receiving 31% and John McCain receiving 15% of the vote. On the state level, Romney received 38.3%, Ron Paul received 24.5%, McCain received 22%, Huckabee received 15% and 2 votes were cast for others. Nationally, Montana is one of six states that favors Romney at this point, but most are yet to report. (According to the New York Times website.)
These results do not affect which candidates will actually be on the Primary Election ballot in June. Registered voters will be asked to cast their votes on a single party ballot at that time to determine which candidates will move on to the General Election, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. Those wishing to participate in the elections are urged to register in advance, to avoid long lines. Anyone who did not vote in the last General Election will have to register to be eligible to vote in the 2008 elections. Anyone wishing to register or check their registration status should contact the local county election administrator.
Monday, May 5, 2008 is the closing date for voter registration for the Primary Election and Monday, Oct. 6, 2008 is the voter registration closing date for the General Election. Late voter registration is available after those dates by contacting the county election office. Voters do not have to vote in the Primary Election to vote in the General Election.
More information about voter and candidate registration and the upcoming elections can be found at the Montana Secretary of State’s website, www.sos.state.us. Click on the “Elections” button on the top of the page, for voting and election information. Also, for more information regarding personal registration status or to register to vote contact Rhonda Nelson, Broadwater County Election Administrator, at 266-3443.