Today marks the deadline for printing Montana’s absentee ballot return envelopes. County election officials have already sent envelopes and ballots for printing across all 56 counties, disregarding President Donald Trump’s mail screening plans.
Several counties decided against including barcodes specific to voters, a crucial element in Trump’s proposal to allow the Postal Service to verify ballots. The uncertainty from Trump’s directives has led to voter confusion, according to Nathan Coyan, deputy elections administrator in Missoula County. “It’s causing confusion among the public, and that is going to cause some people to come in and request replacement absentee ballots,” Coyan remarked, noting the limited supply of extra absentee ballots.
In Lewis and Clark County, Elections Administrator Connor Fitzpatrick processed printing requests without adding unique barcodes. Under Trump’s scheme, states would generate lists of eligible absentee voters, with the Postal Service tasked to deliver only approved ballots. The USPS final rule published on August 27 could result in rejection of non-compliant envelopes.
While 24 states sue to block the plan, Montana and a few others support it. A Massachusetts federal judge has blocked the Postal Service from executing the screening, citing potential constitutional violations. The Trump administration seeks Supreme Court intervention.
Envelope design changes, now mandated by the Postal Service, were merely suggestions before. Fitzpatrick continues with standard procedures as the court injunction stands, so the envelopes for Cascade, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, and Missoula counties remain unchanged. Coordination with the regional postmaster in Great Falls offered no clarity.
Election administrators indicate the USPS has not provided the necessary software for uploading voter lists under the new rule. Coyan emphasized the dynamic nature of voting lists as Election Day nears, questioning how to maintain updated records for the Postal Service.
Gallatin County Clerk Eric Semerad highlighted the focus on ensuring return envelope barcodes direct ballots correctly to the elections office. A barcode error in June’s primary led to misrouted envelopes, remedied by vigilant postal workers. “They are all being done right now. And our ballots are being printed right now, so we can mail them out Oct. 9,” Semerad stated.
Should the Supreme Court overturn the injunction, chaos could ensue, disqualifying countless envelopes and pressing officials to resubmit voter lists. Semerad expressed, “There is the possibility that this could become a thing. I think we’re past the reasonable point of that.” Such a scenario would impose massive costs nationwide, potentially reaching billions.
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