Secretary of State Linda McCulloch on Monday announced the establishment of five satellite election offices with the potential of more on Indian reservations in Montana for the 2016 elections. This follows a directive issued by McCulloch in October, ordering counties to provide satellite offices to ensure compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act. Satellite offices offer services that are otherwise only available to voters at the county headquarters, namely late registration and in-person absentee voting, which are available in the 29 days preceding the election, officials said.
“These offices will ensure American Indians’ ability to participate effectively in the electoral process is protected. I applaud the counties and tribes that have worked together to create expanded access to the voting process; this type of collaboration is what makes Montana a great state to live in,” said McCulloch, the state’s chief elections officer.
Under the agreements, tribes have agreed to provide office space and certain basic services such as phone and Internet, and counties have agreed to devote county staff and resources.
The hours and days the offices will be open will be up to the individual counties, state officials said. Election officials were in Great Falls on Monday for election training.
Full Article: McCulloch announces satellite voting offices on reservations.