Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election to decide a slate of key races began Oct. 12 when absentee ballots were mailed out, with approximately 32,000 Flathead County voters having registered to vote by absentee out of the more than 68,000 total registered voters.

This year’s ballot includes two sheets of paper; both sheets need to be returned by 8 p.m. Nov. 6.

In order to vote in Flathead County elections, a person must be 18 years old or older on or before the next election, a citizen of the United States, have resided in Montana and Flathead County for at least 30 days and be registered to vote.

To register to vote, visit the county Election Department at 40 11th St. W., Suite 230 in Kalispell, in the South Campus Building weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For regular registration, a voter registration form must be postmarked or received by the Election Department at least 30 days before the election.

For late registration (anytime after the close of regular registration), a voter must appear in person at the Election Department up to and including Election Day, fill out a voter registration card, and vote a ballot that they receive from the election office staff.

To find your polling place, determine which precinct you’re in, track your absentee ballot, or view a sample ballot, click on the “My Voter Page” button on the Flathead County Election Department website at flathead.mt.gov/election/.

Here is the Beacon’s first round of Q & As with local candidates; profile of the county commission race; and coverage of statewide races and initiatives. Next week, we will feature local Senate candidates and the race for Justice of the Peace.

Tester-Rosendale Race for U.S. Senate Coming Down to Wire

With President Donald Trump looming large, candidates enter stretch run of heated election

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Gianforte, Williams Square Off in Heated U.S. House Race

A Democrat has not held Montana’s at-large seat in 24 years

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Tracking Montana’s Ballot Initiatives

Two separate measures would raise tobacco tax to pay for Medicaid, add mining regulations

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A Race to Run the County

The race for the Flathead County Commission District 3 seat comes down to a Republican firefighter and a Democrat plumber

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House District 3

Incumbent Democrat Zac Perry vs. Republican Jerry O’Neil

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House District 4

Democrat Kwen Shirley vs. incumbent Republican Matt Regier

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House District 5

Incumbent Democrat Dave Fern vs. Libertarian Cindy Dyson

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House District 6

Incumbent Republican Carl Glimm vs. Democrat Mary Custer

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House District 7

Incumbent Republican Frank Garner vs. Democrat Jim Cossitt

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House District 8

Republican John Fuller vs. Libertarian Sid Daoud

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House District 9

Republican David Dunn vs. Democrat Robert Petersen

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House District 10

Incumbent Republican Mark Noland vs. Libertarian Bill Jones

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House District 11

Incumbent Republican Derek Skees vs. Democrat JoBeth Blair

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House District 12

Incumbent Republican Greg Hertz vs. Democrat Susan T. Evans