Press Release: Kalispell: November 21, 2023
This morning, the Flathead County Board of Commissioners approved the canvass for the Kalispell Municipal General Election in a two-to-one vote. It's important to note that this certification does not imply agreement with the overall election process by the commissioners or Election Administrator.
Due to a clerical mistake approximately 1,413 voters in Kalispell were impacted by the city ward boundary line adjustments, and out of that number, 176 people who voted had the incorrect ward ballot.
Commissioner Pam Holmquist expressed her desire for a redo, emphasizing that every person has a right to vote on a ballot that is representative of the boundaries they live in. Commissioner Brodehl stated that he did not want to imply approval of the overall election, and for that reason, he could not certify the canvass. The document the commissioners voted on declares a full, true, and complete canvass of the votes of the election. With ballots not being distributed according to updated boundary lines, Commissioner Randy Brodehl felt he could not vote for certification of the election. Commissioners Brad Abell and Pamela Holmquist voted to certify the canvass, and agreed the election should be repeated; however, felt certificating the election provided the mechanism to move the challenge process forward and allow a candidate or elector to contest the election per Montana State Law.
Debbie Pierson Clerk & Recorder/Election Administrator mentioned that if someone comes forward and files within the next five business days, the county will cover the costs of a reelection. The commissioners unanimously approved the canvass for both the cities of Whitefish and Columbia Falls.
You may listen to the Public Comments as well as the entire session here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/8bcd812e-2020-4f73-846a-0b9d29395314.