As Election Day loomed, Cascade County faced a staffing crisis termed a “damn emergency” by Elections Administrator Terry Thompson. On Nov. 1, Commissioner Joe Briggs urgently called for volunteers after three county employees withdrew their support. This was due to Commissioner Rae Grulkowski’s remarks discouraging county staff from election work, leading to heightened tensions in an already tumultuous election period.
Thompson, who had recently taken over election management, faced challenges from skeptical county politics and understaffed polling stations. Jeff Mangan, a former commissioner, noted the staff worked tirelessly despite insufficient resources. The strained system led to long lines at Montana ExpoPark, and absentee voters experienced delays, with many missing ballots. Mandy Tate, a Malmstrom resident, struggled to receive her absentee ballot, eventually waiting an hour in line with her children for a replacement.
Amid logistical chaos, Thompson expressed frustration with USPS, which reportedly mishandled over 34,000 ballots. Despite USPS’s assurances that delivery was timely, Tate and others reported missing ballots, prompting concern. Election staff worked overnight shifts to manage the overwhelming volume of absentee returns. However, staffing shortages continued to affect operations, with Thompson lamenting the lack of personnel.
Commissioner Grulkowski’s comments further complicated staffing efforts, leading to a withdrawal of support from potential volunteers. Despite Briggs’ plea for help, the staff shortage was palpable on Election Day. Wait times extended up to eight hours, reflecting a broader issue seen in other Montana counties. Voters expressed frustration over the delays, with some feeling disenfranchised. The Montana Election Observation Initiative noted the staffing scarcity as a significant factor in these delays.
Thompson acknowledged the challenges but rejected claims of voter suppression. She highlighted the new legal mandate requiring election judges to work without breaks, adding to the strain. Post-election, Thompson discovered 117 absentee ballots uncounted due to procedural errors, prompting a recount in seven precincts. Merchant’s supporters seized on these errors to criticize the current administration, calling for changes in leadership.
As Thompson works to wrap up the 2024 election, she is focused on hiring staff for the next cycle, aiming to avoid repeating past mistakes and improve Cascade County’s election reputation.
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