Reaction from Voters in Montana's 2010 Primary Election

Billings, Mont. -- In 1976 I cast my first vote -- Jimmy Carter for President. Since then I have voted in every election. Sometimes actively campaigning for candidates, other times I've just tried to make an informed choice.

On Tuesday, June 8, 10 states held primary elections. According to the Montana Secretary of State's website, there are 638, 759 registered voters in the state. Voting at the polls is still the most common practice. This year Yellowstone County consolidated the number of polling places in the community. Since October 1, 1999, anyone who wants to can vote absentee. The state has been encouraging voters to take advantage of this option. Fox News reported that as of Tuesday morning, 102,000 people had voted absentee. Total voter turn out is expected to be about 46 percent.

Why do Montanans like voting absentee?

"It's the convenience," voter Lori Belgarde said. She said she wished she did not have to vote a straight ticket in the primary election.

"I like having time to decide and vote," Carol Kelley said. "I always felt rushed so I often just didn't vote."

Don Curtiss chose to cast his vote at the polls. When asked what he thought was the most important race in today's election, he said: "The United States Representative Race. I think jobs and money for schools are two of the biggest issues we have in Montana. Denny Rehberg has the experience and knows the ins and outs of working with the bureaucracy. I think he will do a good job for us."

Denny Rehberg, Montana's current at-large Congressman, is running for re-election. In the primary, he is running against two other Republicans: Mark French and A.J. Otjen. There are four Democrats running for the seat: Melinda Gopher, Dennis McDonald, Sam Rankin and Tyler Gernant. Denny Rehberg is the favorite on the Republican ticket. Dennis McDonald and Tyler Gernant are the front runners on the Democratic ticket.

I voted the Democratic ticket and had some hard choices. The two Democrats I most favored are McDonald and Gernant. I think both men would do a great job. McDonald's bio is very impressive. He has a background in international law as well very impressive criminal law credentials.

Gernant is pushing for Montana to take an active role in developing wind, solar, and bio energy. He believes it will bring in billions of dollars to the state and lots of new jobs. He is for developing clean sustainable energy here in Montana.

There are two other highly contested races in Yellowstone County -- County Attorney and the newly created District 13 Court judicial position. There are two Democrats and three Republicans for County Attorney, including the incumbent Dennis Paxinos. There are nine candidates for the District 13 Court Judicial Position. Montana has one lone Congressional representative. This year's primary and general election may host some of the most exciting races of the midterm elections.

Sources:

AP June 8, 2010 Fox News Over 100,000 Vote Absentee in Montana's Primary Election

Missoulian Dennis McDonald bio