The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The ballot is set for the November 2022 midterm elections. The only locally contested primary race in Blaine County took place on the Republican ticket for Blaine County Commissioner District #2. In that race challenger Shane Fox outdistanced incumbent Frank DePriest 372 - 152. On the Democratic ticket Todd Jorgenson ran unopposed in the June Primary, receiving 50 votes. Jorgenson and Fox will appear on the November ballot with the winner replacing DePriest as Blaine County Commissioner for District #2.

Statewide voter turnout for the June Primary stood at 39.4% (293,010/743,710). Locally voter turnout was much less, 29.47% (1,171/3,973). Running unopposed in the Primary were several elected Blaine County positions, but each appeared on the ballot and received votes. They include Clerk & Recorder, Republican Pauley Miller (734); Sheriff/Coroner, Democrat John Colby (261); County Attorney, Democrat Kelsey Whitney Harwood (270); Superintendent of Schools, Republican Valerie White (692); Treasurer, Democrat Tori MacLean DesRosier (283) and Justice of the Peace, Non-Partisan Perry W. Miller (1,061). Also appearing on the June Ballot was the Blaine County Local-Optional Marijuana Excise Tax. The Measure received 81% of the votes in support, 823, while 193 votes were cast against the tax.

In State and Federal Election Primary local voters cast votes in a variety of contests. For U.S. Representative 2nd District, Matt Rosendale received 619 Votes (79%) race on the republican ticket, Marc Sweeny edged Penning Ronning 96-93 in the Democrat Primary. Ronning won the state vote with 58% and will appear on the November ballot. For Public Service Commissioner District 1, Republican Randy Pinocci won Blaine County with 73% of the vote and the state with 66%. In the Non-Partisan race for Supreme Court Justice #1 Jim Rice received 79% of the vote locally and 76% of the votes cast statewide. The Supreme Court Justice #2 race went to James Brown with 45% of the Blaine County vote but overall, Ingrid Gustafson was the winner with 48% of the state vote total.

In the race for State Representative District 32, Democrat Jonathan Windy Boy advanced with 99% (175) of the vote. Windy Boy received 298 votes total. Casey Knudson won the Republican primary race for State Representative District 33 with 403 Blaine County votes and 1,864 votes overall. Democrat Jordon Ophus was the winner in the Democratic Primary for State Representative district 33 with 78 Blaine County votes and 388 total. Ophus and Knudson will face each other in November to see who will win the seat.

Typically, the midterm elections see a lower voter turnout than an election cycle that includes a Presidential Race, but it is always encouraged to register and exercise your right to vote. There is plenty of time to do that before the November elections and can be done in several different ways. To check to see if you are registered simply go to 'My Voter Page' on the Montana Secretary of State – Christie Jacobson website, https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/ and follow the instructions. You can also stop by the Blaine County Courthouse and inquire about your registration status and request the appropriate forms if needed.