By Jack Reaney ASSOCIATE EDITOR
On May 7, voters in the Big Sky community will submit mail-in ballots to decide numerous volunteer leadership positions for local special purpose districts.
The various local districts across Gallatin and Madison counties include school, fire, water and sewer, and the Big Sky Resort Area District (Resort Tax).
“[Local elections give] people a direct avenue to the people that affect their local governance. These are the people that make decisions on a real grassroots level,” Tammy Estensen, BSRAD communications director, told EBS. “These are the people affecting our everyday lives, impacting our community.”
To help excite and educate local voters about the candidates—who, once elected will make decisions with tangible effects on local issues—BSRAD has organized a candidate forum event on Tuesday, April 23 at The Waypoint.
“This event will serve as an open platform for [candidates] to share [their] vision, values and plans with the electorate of Big Sky,” a BSRAD email to candidates stated.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a meet and greet, followed by a moderated forum from 6 to 7:30.
At the March 13 BSRAD board meeting, Executive Director Daniel Bierschwale emphasized the importance of the event and subsequent election.
“As we explore incorporation, a key component to the success of everything we do—regardless of whether we [become] our own county, or the city of Big Sky, or our current special district alignment—it requires civic engagement, and it requires participation. And I’m thrilled that we are actually running an election this year.
“Opportunities like this need to exist regardless of what is our path forward as a community. And it’s [important] for our public to engage, so please save the date,” Bierschwale told the board.
Local election details
Voters must be registered to vote in Big Sky by April 8. Voters can check their registration status here and find additional voter services here.
Madison and Gallatin counties may send ballots at different times, but state law requires ballots to arrive between April 17-22.
Ballots must be returned to election offices, either by physical drop off or by mail, before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7.
Different voters may see different ballot items depending on the physical location of their home address. Big Sky’s special purpose district boundaries are often similar, but not identical.
Voters must live within the boundary of a given district to vote for that district.
Ballots for Big Sky’s Gallatin County residents will include BSRAD, Big Sky County Water and Sewer District, Big Sky Fire Department and Big Sky School District—residents in the Firelight Meadows subdivision will see a ballot item regarding the implementation of a Firelight Meadows Water and Sewer District.
Madison County residents may vote for Madison Valley Hospital District and Ennis School District, and Yellowstone Club residents can vote for the Yellowstone Mountain Club Rural Fire District.
Who’s running in Big Sky
Gallatin County compiled a full list of candidates running for special purpose districts.
For Big Sky voters, five candidates are running for three seats on the BSRAD board.
Current members Kevin Germain and Grace Young seek reelection, and member Ciara Wolfe did not file. Laura Seyfang, Landon Weight and John Zirkle are also running.
Four candidates are running for three seats on the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District board.
Current members Mike Wilcynski and Dick Fast seek reelection, and member Mike DuCuennois did not file. Kent Volosin and Jerad Biggerstaff are also running.
Two candidates are running for two seats on the Big Sky Fire District board—those seats will be appointed by acclamation, automatically reelecting current members Matt Dodd and Deb Lewis.
Candidate filing will remain open for Big Sky and Ennis school districts until March 28.
