Election Information

By PR County Election Administrator/Clerk & Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin

As the November General Election approaches, we would like to keep you informed of your options and the plan Powder River County has for the election.

Powder River County will be conducting a poll election for the General Election on November 3, 2020. Polling places will remain where they have always been and are listed below.

Precinct 3: Coalwood School

Precinct 4: Stacey Hall

Precinct 5: Ashland TRECO building

Precincts 8 and 9: Biddle Hall Precinct 11: Broadus Courthouse lobby

Precinct 12: Broadus Courthouse lobby

Powder River County is taking every precaution to ensure that the polls are safe and sanitary for everyone. Masks will be available for anyone who would like one, but they are not required unless the county has 4 or more active cases. If you chose to wear a mask you will be asked to remove your mask just long enough for the judge to ensure that you are who you say. Hand sanitizer will be available at every entrance and at the judge’s tables. Every voter will receive their own pen to take home. New voting booths have been purchased and they will be wiped down between every voter. At the Broadus courthouse, voters will enter through one door and exit through another to help avoid contact with others as much as possible. If you would like to attend the polls but prefer to avoid the crowds, you will have the option to take your ballot to the election room.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds at the polls all together, you have the option to vote by mail with an absentee ballot. If you so choose, please send an application (which has been sent to PR County voters) to the Clerk & Recorder’s Office, by mail or in person, to receive your ballot in the mail. If you need more applications please just call our office and we will get one in the mail to you. If you choose to receive your ballot by mail, we recommend dropping the voted ballot off at the courthouse but it may be mailed.

Powder River County has received $16,000 in HAVA (Help America Vote Act) grant funds. We have used the funds to update our voting booths; the new booths are plastic and easier to keep clean. The funds were also used to purchase a new computer and desk, for election purposes. Additionally, our outlying precincts will receive new tables for the election, as well as new voting signs.

We are still looking for a few back-up judges for the election. I would like to have backup judges in the instance that one of my current judges gets sick and can’t make it or is quarantined. If anyone is interested in being an election judge or ballot counter, please contact me as soon as possible. There will be a mandatory training for judges in October.

Following are some of the dates to watch for when voting:

October 5- Ballots must be available to the public

October 9- Absentee Ballots will be mailed out

October 26- Close of regular registration

October 27- New voters must register and vote in person at courthouse

November 2- Voting closes at noon

November 3 - Election Day

Please feel free to call my office with any questions.