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8/22/2025
Reported by Katie Fairbanks. Send news and tips to kfairbanks@montanafreepress.org.
Missoula County Elections Office has mailed over 47,000 municipal primary election ballots to registered voters. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Sept. 9. To ensure timely delivery, voters should mail ballots by Sept. 2. Ballot drop-off is available weekdays at the Elections Center. On Sept. 9, two drive-thru locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Hellgate Elementary baseball fields and near Russell Street.
Elections Administrator Bradley Seaman noted, “The ballot return rate in the 2023 municipal primary election was 46.43%.” The goal is to increase this rate above 50% for the local election.
All city voters will select two mayoral candidates for the Nov. 4 general election. Mayor Andrea Davis is running against Brandi Atanasoff and Shawn Knopp.
Ward 2 voters will choose two out of five candidates for the general election. Ward 3 voters have five candidates, including incumbent Daniel Carlino and current Ward 1 Council Member Jennifer Savage.
Ward 6 Council Member Sandra Vasecka seeks to complete her term, competing with Sean McCoy and Valeda “Lynette” Jonessian.
Races with fewer than three candidates go to the November ballot. This includes Wards 1, 4, 5, another Ward 6 seat, and three municipal judge positions.
Residents can verify voter registration status and view sample ballots at myvoterpagemt.com. For undeliverable or replacement ballots, contact 406-258-4751 or visit the Elections Office. Voter registration is available at the elections office.
Verbatim
“Missoula hasn’t had a confirmed [measles] case; boy, we have had a lot of fire drills. So when we have a suspected case and we’re waiting for those test results to come back in, we don’t just kind of sit on our hands and hope it’s not one. We get right in there and we figure out … what is the risk? If this comes back positive, we want to be ready straight away with messaging and connecting with people we need to connect with to kind of put a ring around that.”
—Jeanna Miller, Missoula’s health officer, during a discussion on measles resurgence held by the University of Montana’s Public Health Training Center.
Montana reported its first measles case since 1990 in April. As of Wednesday, 31 confirmed cases are reported, with Gallatin County having the highest count. Health officials discussed measles vaccination and preparation for school districts as classes resume.
Brooke Krininger, Missoula County Public Schools health services coordinator, emphasized collaboration with Missoula Public Health in case of measles. The school district maintains a list of unvaccinated individuals and those with medical vulnerabilities.
Read more about the discussion here.
Missoula, local news only matters because it matters to you.
In one year, Katie Fairbanks has covered over 50 stories impacting Missoula, with reporting reaching over 100,000 readers. To continue this work, $10,000 is needed to fund Missoula Local. Every contribution supports journalism that keeps Missoula informed.
5 Things to Know in Missoula
The Missoula City Council will consider a school speed zone on Phillips Street near Lowell Elementary School after multiple child pedestrian accidents. Public Works recommends a 20 mph speed limit, while Council Member Sierra Farmer suggests 15 mph.
Missoula County commissioners approved contracts totaling nearly $80,000 to thin trees at Marshall Mountain Park to enhance ski runs and mitigate wildfire risks. No trail closures are planned during this work.
The Missoula Redevelopment Agency approved $1.6 million for a new baseball field at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field. While the Missoula PaddleHeads consider replacing it with artificial turf, public concerns exist over environmental and health impacts.
Missoula County commissioners requested the Montana Department of Transportation to require Town Pump to improve an intersection near its proposed store in Frenchtown. The site has recorded several crashes, raising safety concerns among residents.
Hikers have access to 2.5 miles of new trails linked to the Bluebird Preserve. The new trails are part of a conservation easement and open seasonally to support wildlife.
Public Notice
Missoula’s outdoor water parks are closing soon. Splash Montana at Playfair Park closes Aug. 26. Other spray decks remain open through Labor Day. Currents Aquatics Center reopens Aug. 30 after maintenance.
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