Bill > HB482

This bill modifies multiple sections of Montana's local government election laws to require that local government elections be conducted on a partisan basis, replacing previous language that allowed for both partisan and nonpartisan elections. Specifically, the bill changes sections related to different types of local government structures (such as county manager government, municipal council-mayor government, and municipal commission-manager government) to mandate that elections must be partisan. The changes affect several Montana Code Annotated (MCA) sections, including 7-3-112, 7-3-113, 7-3-114, 7-3-219, 7-3-314, 7-3-413, 7-3-513, and 7-3-4262. Instead of allowing local governments to choose between partisan and nonpartisan elections, the bill now requires that all local government elections be conducted with candidates running under political party affiliations. The bill includes a saving clause to ensure that existing rights, penalties, and proceedings are not invalidated by the change, and it becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1735