A new polling station makes voting in Madison County more accessible
By Daniel Bierschwale EBS COLUMNIST
When I was young, my mother would take me with her to the local school on Election Day. After checking in with our neighbor at the front table, she would take her ballot and we’d head to an open booth. In the plastic box on thin metal legs, shielded from the voter to the right of us, my mother would carefully color in the oval next to the candidates she wanted to see in office. We’d drop off the ballot in the box and proudly place our “I Voted” sticker on our shirts on the way out. We were part of the American dream.
For years, voting in Big Sky has once again been a tale of two counties—the disparity in access between the two has been evident. Gallatin County residents enjoy relatively convenient access by heading to the Big Sky water and sewer office in Meadow Village. Madison County residents, however, have had to undertake a much more involved journey to cast their votes.
Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Madison County Elections Office, this is all changing. They will be opening a new polling station to serve Big Sky residents in Madison County, located at the Big Sky Fire Station near the mountain at 9091 Lone Mountain Trail. Establishing this new polling station shows a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in the electoral process. No longer will residents of Big Sky in Madison County be asked to make the 90-minute drive to the Ennis Fire Hall to exercise their fundamental right to vote.
The significance of the new polling stations goes beyond mere convenience. Voting is the cornerstone of democracy. It gives people a voice in shaping the future of our community and our country. By establishing a polling station within reach of Big Sky residents, the elections office is fostering a sense of civic engagement.
In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining voter turnout and the need to reinvigorate democratic engagement. By making voting more accessible, a new polling station could play a crucial role in revitalizing participation by Big Sky voters.
The new polling station will be effective starting with the June 4 Primary Election. It will be manned by local county residents trained and overseen by the county elections administrator.
As Americans, it our right and duty to vote. Since every vote counts, be sure to exercise that right. Check out the new polling station, greet your friendly election judge and make sure you grab your “I Voted” sticker on the way out.
Voting Precincts
Your voter confirmation card will list your name, address, school ward and legislative districts. It also lists your precinct. A precinct is a voting area, kind of like a neighborhood with its own voting spot. Up until this year, the Madison County portion of Big Sky was in one precinct. However, due to the recent legislative redistricting, it is now divided into two precincts: 23 and 24. Here’s the good news: both precincts will be able to vote at that same new polling station.
Daniel Bierschwale is the Executive Director of the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD). As a dedicated public servant, he is committed to increasing civic engagement and voter education. Many ballot issues impact government services and public funding including subsequent property tax impacts. BSRAD is the local government agency that administers Resort Tax, which offsets property taxes while also funding numerous community-wide nonprofit programs.
