Pondera County to open satellite election office on Blackfeet Reservation in Heart Butte for June primary

The Pondera County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 14 adopted Resolution #30 (2024/24) to establish a Satellite Election Office on the Blackfeet Reservation in Heart Butte for the June 4, 2024 federal primary. Commissioners set two staffing days—Tuesday, May 14, 2024, and Thursday, May 30, 2024—from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and said they would evaluate days and hours after the primary.

The resolution cites the Montana Secretary of State Election Directive #01-2015 and responds to a request from the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, which agreed to provide an appropriate location that meets the directive's criteria. Commissioner Zane Drishinski moved the resolution; Commissioner Thomas Kuka seconded, and the board approved the measure on a 3-0 vote.

County officials said the decision was guided by census data and current voter registration numbers for the Heart Butte precinct; the resolution instructs staff to implement the satellite office for the federal primary and to report back about staffing and hours for future elections. No objections or amendments were recorded in the minutes.

The action means additional in-person voting access will be available on two specified days in Heart Butte ahead of the June 4 primary. The board will reassess whether to continue, expand, or change hours for future elections after reviewing usage and staffing needs following the primary.