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In Missoula, Shelby Richards stood in line with pup Rose, a service animal in training to help with her severe post traumatic stress disorder.
Richards, who has a 6-year-old daughter, said she believes the economy has been in decline.
“It’s time for some things to change and make it livable for families,” Richards said.
She said she wants to see former President Donald Trump and fellow Republican Tim Sheehy, running to oust Democrat incumbent Jon Tester in the U.S. Senate, take office.
Outside the Elections Center in Missoula, Community Emergency Response Team workers directed voters driving through the parking lot.
CERT’s Dawn Couch said people had been kind and patient with each other, and a few were honking and yelling the names of their candidates.
She said the elections staff had been “amazing.”
“It’s been really, really well run,” Couch said.
In the parking lot, Logan Kostka looked for a pen to sign his name and turn in his ballot. Kostka said women’s reproductive rights were one factor in the 2024 election, but not the only one.
“As an LGBTQ+ member, a lot of the stuff coming from Project 2025 is literally against my belief system and my being as a human,” said Kostka, 20.
At least one neighborhood polling place at an elementary school in Missoula didn’t have lines out the door.
Shelby Jessop walked down the sidewalk sporting an “I Voted” sticker on her coat. Jessop, whose little girl followed, said abortion is a top issue for her, and she stands with Sheehy.
“I think that we should all be a part of what decisions are made in our country,” Jessop said. “I wish more people would vote, honestly.”