BOZEMAN – Secretary of State Linda McCulloch says switching to all-mail balloting would improve election participation and save money.
McCulloch says she is working on the exact language of a bill she’d like to put before the 2011 Legislature that would require the state to go to all-mail elections.
In recent years, more and more voters have taken advantage of laws that allow anyone to vote absentee and local governments have the option of holding mail-only ballots.
McCulloch’s proposal would extend mail ballot elections statewide.
Republican Rep. Ted Washburn of Bozeman says an all-mail ballot system has a very good chance of passing. Former Democratic lawmaker Dorothy Eck tells the Bozeman Daily Chronicle that she supports the idea, but thinks some will miss going to polling places.