Montana county election offices had received 137,265 absentee ballots as of 4:23 a.m. Thursday, with 12 days remaining before the Nov. 3 general election.

The returned ballots accounted for 26.29% of the 522,166 ballots issued to voters so far.

County Return Rates Vary

Hill County had the highest listed return rate at 32.87%. Lewis and Clark County followed at 32.40%, while Sweet Grass County recorded 31.90%.

Pondera County’s return rate was 31.80%, and Toole County’s was 31.79%.

Lincoln County had the lowest listed rate at 13.11%. Mineral County followed at 17.24%, with Gallatin at 17.74%, Petroleum at 18.88% and Roosevelt at 18.97%.

Ballot Deadline

Absentee ballots must be received by county election offices no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, Election Day.