VOTE KATE MCLAUGHLIN
Voting in District 9
Here is what you need to do:
Check Your Voter Registration: Click the button above
Find your polling place: there is a link on the MT webpage where you check your registration.
Election Date — Nov. 3 most polls are open 7a-8pm, bring your ID.
Absentee Ballot - sign, date and write your birth year on the outside envelope, to be safe, drop off your ballot at the Flathead County Elections Department in Kalispell
Drive a neighbor or family member to the polling place — multiply your impact, help them register if needed.
Talk to your friends and neighbors — a personal conversation is often what finally gets someone to the polls.
Vote!
Voters with Disabilities
Here's What You Need to Know
Montana’s Statewide Elections have various options for voters with disabilities or voters who need special assistance, including the new Electronic Ballot Request System (EBRS), available for state and federal elections beginning 30 days before election day and through noon the day before election day. Click here for more information.
Register to Vote
Go to Flathead County Elections Department, 290 B Main St, Kalispell and register to vote, bring your ID.
Late registration begins: October 6, 2026
During late registration, those wishing to register or change their voter information and vote in this federal election may do so during these times:
** before 5pm on Oct. 30 before the election
** 8am to noon on Monday November 2
** 7am to noon on election day, Nov. 3.
Inactive Voter?
Has your registration been inactivated?
If you are on the Inactive Voter Registration List, it is because of the following:
1. You did not vote in a federal general election, and you did not respond to two confirmation mailings sent to you by the county election office, or;
2. You had a mail ballot returned to the county election office as undeliverable, and you did not respond to a confirmation mailing sent to you by the county election office.
Click here for instructions on how to activate your registration
Ballot Initiatives - Vote Yes!
CI - 194
Keep Dark Money out of Politics
C1-194 would curb election spending by “artificial persons,” eliminate anonymous money, and put Montanans’ voices back at the center of our democracy.
C1-132
Non Partisan Judiciary in MT
CI-132 is a simple initiative that puts one sentence into Montana’s constitution: “judicial elections in Montana shall remain nonpartisan.” Montana began electing judges in nonpartisan elections in 1935 in response to Montana's powerful Copper Kings who were buying judges to rule in their favor.
This simple measure protects that long-standing tradition so we can keep judges accountable to the people’s interests, not deep-pocketed political interests.
C1-133
Ballot Initiative Regualtion
CI-133 protects Montana’s citizen-led ballot measure process so we can keep government accountable to us.
Montanans Decide is a coalition of Montana voters working to protect our right to propose laws that put the citizens of Montana first.
Ballot measures protect the voice of the people, and CI-133 prohibits the government from taking sides on a ballot measure or using taxpayer dollars to sway your vote.
ISSUES
McLaughlin For Montana
Demand that Families Be Put First
Every triumph working families ever made, whether it child labor protections, 8 hour workday, minimum wage, or weekends off came because we demanded change. It is time again to start demanding family security: a liveable wage, lower cost of living, affordable health policies, rights for women, childcare/eldercare, and education.
EDUCATION
My sons have all attended Flathead High School. I believe it is very important to continue education to be a place that builds skills ( kids can learn construction, various art mediums, music, welding and other skills). Students are encouraged to excel and push themselves towards higher education ( IB Program, partnership with Running Start FVCC).
I attended public school, both my in-laws were teachers and I have friends and family who are currently teaching. Our education system should support the teachers that work there, ensure buildings that are safe and have adequate space. Legislation can create a school funding formula to allocate money to provide what our Montana Constitution states: “Equality of educational opportunity is guaranteed to each person of the state”. Your zip code should not reflect the value of education your children receive.
ENVIRONMENT
The majority of HD9 is public lands (81%) which totals about 54,938 acres of land which is managed by various agencies including: County government, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, MT State Trust Lands, US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Forest Service. This land includes seven recreation sites: Smith Lake, Somers Fishing Access, Lone Pine State Park, Somers Beach State Park, Herron Park and Foys Lake Park.
We are very fortunate to have this land available and belong to all of us. These areas give us places to swim, fish, hike, hunt, boat, sled and ice skate, among other things.
The Montana Constitution guarantees our right to a clean and healthful environment. I support a moratorium on data centers in this state until we can study from other states the effects of the water usage, electricity increases to residents, noise and air pollution. I also support alternative energy sources to reduce our use on a finite source of energy. I also oppose corporations from other countries coming in to mine our Montana resources.
HEALTHCARE
25% of Flathead County is enrolled in Medicaid. The medicaid expansion program funded through federal dollars continues behavioral health services, and substance use disorder treatment, it also allows seniors to receive long term care.
Continuing Medicaid expansion also keeps Logan Health ( now merged with Billings Clinic) to provide care for our community. In a Flathead Beacon article they reported " The failure to reauthorize Medicaid expansion would impact 7,500 statewide jobs ... and $775 million in economic activity that it generates.
Montana medicaid has grown to include home births, which helps in keeping costs down, as the average hospital birth is $11,000. Montana also faces many areas without close access to maternal care and many rural area clinics are in danger of closing. I support home births and home care for elders in their own homes, but we face a serious lack of healthcare workers in these areas which needs to be addressed.
Unity
Montana's strength has always come from its families, it's strong local economies, it's relations with tribal nations and its willingness to come together in times of difficulty. This campaign is a call to embrace humanity, fairness and responsibility to one another. The answer is simple: prioritize families, their economy, and unite around shared goals.
McLaughlin For Montana (D)
175 Hutton Ranch Rd. Ste 103 #315
Kalispell, MT 59901
