With Election Day just days away, Yellowstone County voters may think their role ends the moment they slip a ballot into a drop box. In reality, a thorough, multi‑layered process begins the instant a ballot is retrieved, safeguarding each vote for the upcoming election.
Signature verification starts the chain
Yellowstone County Elections Administrator Dayna Causby explained that every ballot entering the county – and the state of Montana – undergoes signature verification. “The only reason to reject a ballot is if a signature is missing or is mismatched,” Causby said.
Multiple hands, multiple checks
After verification, a ballot passes through more than fifteen staff members working in pairs. Each ballot is counted, checked, and counted again before its envelope is opened. “Once they get accepted, they go through an audit process to make sure that every ballot that we said we accepted in that batch is in that batch. It goes through that audit process twice, actually,” Causby noted.
Following the initial audit, the ballots are laid flat and counted out. They then undergo two additional audit processes to confirm that the ballots slated for tabulation match the accepted batch.
Sorting for the machines
On Monday, the ballots arrive at the tabulation machines and are sorted into three bins:
- Bottom bin – perfect ballots ready for immediate tabulation.
- Second bin – ballots containing write‑in candidates.
- Top bin – ballots that may have issues requiring further review.
An issue does not mean the ballot is discarded. Instead, it is sent to a three‑person resolution board representing different political parties. The board works to correct the ballot so it reflects the voter’s intent.
Post‑election audit ensures machine accuracy
Even after the machines tabulate the votes, a post‑election audit compares the machine totals to the physical ballots. “We will make sure that the machine’s tabulated like the ballot said it tabulated,” Causby said.
Throughout each step, chain‑of‑custody forms track the ballot’s location, preserving a clear record and maintaining the integrity of the entire process.
Voters feel heard
Local voters expressed how the process reinforces their voice. “I think your voice does matter, and people don’t realize that because people feel small right now, and your voice is big and your voice does matter especially for the future generations that are coming,” said voter Cynthia Hill.
First‑time voter Monica Chesarek described the experience as empowering: “I feel really accomplished. I feel like an adult. I feel responsible, and I feel like my voice, as little as it might feel, is there.” She added, “Everybody has a voice, and if you don’t use it, then you leave it up to other people to make your decisions for you.”
The extensive checks, audits, and transparent tracking underscore Yellowstone County’s commitment to a secure, trustworthy election process that honors each citizen’s participation.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
