Bill > HB207

This bill revises Montana's candidate filing and write-in candidate laws by making several key changes to election procedures. The bill reduces the candidate filing window from 145-85 days before an election to 105-90 days before the election, and significantly changes write-in candidate rules by extending the declaration deadline from the 65th to the 90th day before an election. A critical provision prohibits unsuccessful primary election candidates from seeking nomination for the same office in the general election through write-in votes or petition methods. The bill also adjusts signature requirements for third-party or independent candidate petitions, reducing the required signature percentage from 5% to 4% of the total votes cast for the successful candidate in the previous election, with different rules for statewide/federal offices versus legislative and other local races. Additionally, the bill modifies procedures for election cancellation and acclamation, allowing governing bodies to cancel elections when the number of candidates equals or is less than the number of positions to be filled. The changes aim to streamline election processes, provide more consistent filing deadlines, and prevent candidates from circumventing primary election results by seeking alternative nomination paths.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1223