BILLINGS – Ballots for the Yellowstone County school election must make their way to the Yellowstone County Elections office by 8 p.m. Tuesday to be counted.
“We’re sitting on about 37,000 and change the day before the election,” said Yellowstone County Election Administrator Bret Rutherford. “Which is pretty a pretty darn good turnout for a school election.”
About 82,000 ballots have been issued to Yellowstone County voters.
For School District 2 in Billings, the only item on this school election ballot is a $970,000 operational high school levy. That proposed levy would fund new classroom materials, and four career counselors for the Billings high schools.
If the levy passes, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay an extra $10.04 per year in property tax.
The clock is ticking to return ballots. As of Monday, you have run out of time to mail your ballot.
The best bet to cast your vote is to get your ballot down to the Yellowstone County Elections office at the courthouse by Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Rutherford said turnout is about on par with the last off-year school election in 2017.
“It’s not the best turnout we’ve ever had, but it’s still one of the best. In general, we do get a good rush (of voters) on election day with in-person drop-offs. Just because you really can’t mail your ballot on election day, and that’s important for the voters to know. The postmark does not work on election day. It has to be physically in our possession by 8 p.m. tomorrow night,” Rutherford said.
Other elections happening in Yellowstone County:
- Bond for the Shepherd schools. That district is asking for $17.9 million to address overcrowding, displaced kindergarten classes and utility issues.
- The Laurel school district is asking for a $3 million building reserve levy to address safety and security issues over the next five years. The district also wants to possibly purchase land for future expansion. Laurel voters will also vote on one trustee position.
