UM Business Students Improve Missoula County Voting Experience

UM College of Business students helped Missoula County enhance in-person voting procedures for the 2026 election season.

By studying election operations and recommending targeted adjustments, these students bridged academic theory with practical civic engagement, influencing how local elections are managed.

The project unfolded in September 2026 within the BMGT 401 course on Entertainment and Sports Event Management. Students analyzed Missoula County’s voting sites, focusing on flow, security, signage, and communication. Their suggestions—such as staff wearing colored badges and moving voter lines away from roads—were among the changes informed by their recommendations during the 2026 election season. Collaboration with Elections Administrator Bradley Seaman’s team allowed real-time feedback and fine-tuning. Some participants described the experience as a valuable lesson in both event management and democratic process participation.

Looking ahead, Seaman and adjunct professor Sarah Peruzzi look forward to continuing this collaboration.

While this initiative took place in Missoula County, similar Montana communities might find value in integrating business students into election logistics, given parallels between managing public events and polling sites. This approach could strengthen local election operations while providing practical training for future business leaders accustomed to Montana’s distinct community dynamics.

UM Business Students Help Missoula County Rethink In-person Voting
By Garrett Finke, University of Montana