Christina Barsky

Montanans hoping for election results went to bed disappointed Tuesday night. Ballot tabulation is a complicated process even under the best of circumstances and experts say it’s getting more challenging.

Preliminary voter turnout in Montana’s midterm election stands at nearly 56%, with more than 430,000 ballots cast, according to data from the Secretary of State Wednesday afternoon.

After months of discussion and a flurry of political clashes, the push for a special legislative session has lost steam. That likely leaves the districts of Montana’s powerful utility oversight commission in the hands of a panel of federal judges.

Dozens of Montanans voiced their opinions Tuesday regarding proposed maps dividing the state into two congressional districts. Many are concerned that the districts will be drawn in a way that unfairly favors a specific political party — a practice known as gerrymandering.

There is no bipartisan support for any of the nine possible Congressional maps under consideration by the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission.

Voting rights advocates are concerned a new law limiting who can help somebody with an absentee ballot could disenfranchise Montanans who already have trouble voting. Supporters say the policy strengthens the integrity of Treasure State elections.

There’s a new poll out about Montana’s US House and Senate races, and its results are very different than those that have come before.The Big Sky poll…