Kalispell is enrolling in an all-mail ballot city election for the first time this November. The city’s previous standard required voters to come in person to pick up their ballots, with the exception of those who filed for absentee ballots. Now, all eligible voters will receive their ballots by mail, with the option to return a filled-out ballot via the postal service or in-person at a voting booth at the county’s election office.

Councilor Chad Graham introduced the amendment during discussion about the election during last night’s city council meeting, followed by a back and forth between Councilors Sid Daoud and Ryan Hunter, in opposition and support of the motion, respectively. Daoud said he was concerned that mail-in voting would limit the time to “influence people,” resulting in fewer opportunities to educate people about who is running in a municipal election and why.

“There’s something un-American about doing only mail-in voting,” Daoud said.

In-person voting has previously required renting out the Trade Center building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds and paying precinct judges. Mail-in voting will remove the additional cost that Kalispell incurs, Hunter said, while still providing the option for a resident drop off their ballot in-person.

“The most important thing for me is not to have people who want to vote and have their vote not counted or they don’t vote for some reason,” Hunter said.

Mayor Mark Johnson rounded out the discussion with his desire to make Election Day a national holiday where everyone who can votes in person.

“I still go back and remember how many people died to give us this, it wasn’t really convenient for them,” said Johnson.

The amendment ultimately passed with Councilors Graham, Hunter, Jessica Dahlman, Sam Nunnally and Sandy Carlson in support. Johnson and Daoud voted against the amendment.

The next municipal election will take place on November 4 for city council members in Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3 and Ward 4, along with mayor and municipal judge. Ballots for Kalispell voters will be mailed out around Oct. 17.

Stay tuned for a roundup later this week of the candidates running for those positions. I’m Zoë Buhrmaster, electing to be here with you for today’s Daily Roundup.