On Wednesday, October 13, County Elections Director Brett Rutherford mailed out 93,000 ballots to voters in Yellowstone County, Billings, Laurel and Broadview. Most should have their ballot by Friday, said Rutherford.
Voters will have until Tuesday, November 2, 8 pm, to return the ballots.
To accommodate the many issues and candidates in each city and ward and the county, Rutherford said they had 84 different ballot styles.
The countywide ballot includes the issue of an excise tax of 3 percent on the sale of marijuana, both medical and recreational.
The City of Billings is asking voters to consider a permanent annual levy of up to 34 mills to increase funding for police, fire, prosecution services, code enforcement, municipal court, mental health and substance abuse services and other public safety expenses. The levy is projected to generate about $7.1 million annually in tax revenues.
The city will also be asking voters to approve or disapprove the sale of recreational marijuana within the city limits of Billings.
The City of Laurel will be voting for a mayor from among four candidates: Bruce McGee, Thomas C. Nelson, Scot Stokes or Dave Waggoner.
Laurel voters will also be choosing Jean M. Kerr or Juliane E. Lore as City Court Judge.
Broadview voters will have the opportunity to support the one candidate running for commissioner, Roger D. Swartz.
Billings voters will also be selecting city council members in their five wards.
In Ward 1, Ed Gulick or Stephanie Krueger.
In Ward 2, Frank Ewalt or Jennifer Owen.
In Ward 3, Charlie Loveridge or Denise Joy.
In Ward 4, Mary Hernandez, Daniel Tidswell or Tim Warburton.
In Ward 5, Dennis L. Ulvestad, Fred Wilburn or Tom Rupsis.
