25 May 2017

Election Day notes with time-stamped updates

Absentee return rate approaches high seventies — 2044 MDT

More that 12,900 absentee ballots came in between 1637 yesterday and 1749 today. The current return rate is 75.8 percent. That will increase slightly. I’ll monitor the returns this evening, and present analysis tomorrow.

GOP honk-n-wavers missing at Flathead Fairgrounds — 1548 MDT

Usually, Republicans and like minded organizations have squads of smiling, sign waving, partisans stationed on the north and south corners of the entrance to the Flathead Fairgrounds, where Kalispell votes. Today the corners were empty. There is no visible Gianforte campaign in Kalispell.

Americans For Prosperity poll watchers in Kalispell — 1445 MDT

I voted at ≈ 1430 MDT. Steady traffic, light staffing in the poll. My ballot was the 253rd cast in Precinct 31. There was a big, bald, black-bearded, guy from AFP with a white oval sticker reading Poll Watcher on his shirt. No name tag. He was using a small tablet computer to record who voted. No other poll watchers.