Billings voters frustrated by long voting lines at MetraPark

BILLINGS – Voters in Billings were frustrated by the long lines at MetraPark polling places during Tuesday’s election.

Voters hoping to register that day had to wait seven hours to cast their votes.

Katia Gilbert was one of many waiting in line. She said she was shocked when she first arrived Tuesday morning.

“Just shocked and cold,” Gilbert said with a laugh Wednesday afternoon. “The line to get into the parking lot here was just like on Main Street. It was a bit of a deterrent, I won’t lie.’

Gilbert still chose to stick it out. She said it took her about four hours to register and vote. Voters who arrived later in the day reported longer wait times.

“For the people who were out here in the dark, I can’t imagine how cold it was,” Gilbert said. “At least I had my big coat on and I was still cold, and that was when the sun came up.”

Other voters were confused by the line, like new Billings resident Brett Schock. He said it was his first election since moving here from Wyoming and he couldn’t believe how full the ballot boxes were.

“I pulled into the Metra and saw this long line,” Schock said Wednesday morning. “I thought to myself, this is going to take a while.”

Schock said he initially stood in line to register, but after five minutes he was helped to the right line and was able to vote fairly quickly.

“Once I realized that, things happened quickly,” Schock said. “Probably parking and then trying to leave was the longest part for me.”

Yellowstone County elections officials were not available for an interview Wednesday, but they did attribute the length of the lines to the number of people who opted for same-day registration.

Paul Pope, a political science professor at Billings University of Billings, said the time it takes to register isn’t necessary, but that it is caused by legislation passed in 2012 that requires all registrations to be made on the same day. one location in each province. Furthermore, he added, the 2024 race likely saw higher turnout, although exact figures have not been released.

“There’s really no real justification for why the lines have to be so long,” Pope said. “This legislation has changed so that, you know, this particular day of registration of voting locations if it is done for the purpose of reducing voter turnout.”

Pope said he believes the law is an attempt to suppress voter turnout.

“That makes it easier for anyone who already has the power to stay in power,” Pope said.

But there were also some positives that came from the hours spent in line. Election Judge Heide Bode said she was inspired by Billings residents’ commitment to voting.

“People were so patient and everyone was nice,” Bode said. “I almost had tears because they didn’t turn around and leave.”

It was a sign of democracy in action, with Montanans braving the elements to ensure their voices were heard.

“It was nice to see everyone collectively step up and try to make a change, be it in some way,” Gilbert said.