Montana election news
- PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
Sen. Steve Daines calls on Biden to resign, Gov. Gianforte questions Kamala Harris
Montana Republicans question Biden's ability to serve the remainder of his term, while Dems lauded the president’s move.
4 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Frustrations with political rhetoric emerge after rally shooting
Jul. 21—Frustrations with the political climate in the U.S. reached a boiling point after last week's attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, prompting calls for civility and unity from local residents and Montana's elected officials alike. "Politics has gotten so disgusting, and the hate has gotten out of hand," said Bigfork resident Shelley Gonzalez on Thursday afternoon. A ...
4 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
Montana Democrat calls on President Biden to not seek re-election
Montana’s senior senator is also in a close election that could determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
3 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Sen. Tester makes campaign stop at Pache
Jun. 27—Fresh from a meeting with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester breezed into the park at Pache Home Sites in Ronan at 3 p.m. Sunday. It was a picnic atmosphere; Tester, a Democrat who hopes to retain his seat in the U.S. Senate, greeted people and posed for many pictures as Gen Huitt, a well-known Native musician, sang and played her guitar. ...
2 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
GOP, Dems see positives in latest Senate race polling
Jun. 27—Republicans in Montana's key races are polling above their Democratic candidates with the exception of conservative political newcomer Tim Sheehy, who remains neck-and-neck with three-term Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. "We're still a long way from October and November when people are voting but, it does indicate that that Tester-Sheehy race is going to be really close," said Lee ...
3 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Sheehy supporters see candidate who will take on immigration, economy
Jun. 16—Sylvia Timboe moved to Montana for its perceived conservative principles. Sending Tim Sheehy to the U.S. Senate will preserve those values, she said. "I feel the same way a lot of Americans do ... the Biden days, their time is over. Trump's time is now," Timboe said Thursday morning at a Save America Rally for Tim Sheehy, the Republican businessman attempting to unseat three-term ...
8 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Primary Results: Gale Decker prevails in commission race
Jun. 12—According to unofficial results released Wednesday morning by the Lake County Election Office, 8,968 ballots were cast in Tuesday's primary election — that's 42.17% voter turnout (just over 55% turnout among active voters). Of those, 6,005 were on the Republican ticket; 2,847 voted the Democratic ballot; 18 were Green and 29 voted Libertarian. County Commissioner Gale Decker handily ...
3 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
County library district initiative fails; voters pick Duram over Letcher
Jun. 7—Lincoln County voters denied District 3 Commissioner Josh Letcher a second term and also voted down an initiative to create an independent library district in Tuesday's primary election. According to results on the Montana Secretary of State website, Eureka resident Noel Duram collected 1,928 votes to Letcher's 1,792. Duram will be opposed in the general election by Democrat Doug Davies ...
3 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Schubert knocks off Brockman while Sprunger tops conservative rival
Jun. 5—Republican voters sent incumbent state Rep. Tony Brockman packing during Tuesday's primary election, backing instead a teenage political neophyte for House District 8. Brockman, who represented a district that included Evergreen, met defeat at the ballot box despite the backing of the local business community and Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte. Lukas Schubert, who garnered the backing ...
5 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
Downing, Driscoll, Gianforte, and Busse come away with primary victories
Republican and Democrat leaders emerge for U.S. House District 2, Montana governor and others after June 4 primary in Montana.
5 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Voters to head to polls for Montana primary election Tuesday
Voters will make selections in up to 17 races on the ballot, including local questions in Great Falls and Cascade County.
2 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Voters will make their choice on library district
May 31—Lincoln County residents who haven't voted by mail will head to the polls next Tuesday for the 2024 primary election. Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 4 and close at 8 p.m. There are three polling places in the county, including: — Eureka — High Road Youth Center — 1295 2nd Ave. E, Eureka, MT — Precincts 1, 2, 4, 15 and 16; — Troy — Troy Activity Center — Troy Activity Center 4th ...
3 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Cascade County Commission primary opponents see different types of dysfunction
The intra-party challenge to a commissioner elected in 2022 highlights some division between Republicans in Cascade County.
7 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Primary Profiles: Four Republicans seek county commission seat
May 16—Three Republicans, Wes Baertsch, Max Krantz and Josh Senecal, are vying for the Lake County Commissioner seat currently held by Gale Decker, who is running for reelection. The winner of this race will face Independent Kelly P. McDonald in the general election in November. All four candidates responded to the Leader's recent questionnaire. Decker, the incumbent, has 12 years of ...
11 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Two special district races end in tie votes
May 16—According to unofficial results, last Tuesday's election for special districts and school board trustees yielded two ties. Patrick Lennon and Rhonda Walter each collected 106 votes for the one seat available on the Chief Cliff Fire District board. At the other end of Lake County, James "Tyke" Allaire and Anthony Hoyt each received 38 votes in their quest to serve as a director on the ...
2 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
West Valley will recount ballots in technology levy election
May 14—*This article has been updated to correct the meeting time to 7 a.m. Friday. West Valley School District has declared a tie in its technology levy election and will recount ballots at a school board meeting Friday. Votes from the May 7 election were canvassed and certified by the school board Monday. With three provisional ballots resolved in the technology levy election, the vote was ...
1 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Zimmerman, Delmas and Benjamin claim Libby School trustee seats
May 10—The ballots have been counted and the results are in for school trustee elections in Lincoln County. All terms are for three years. The vote totals listed below are preliminary. In Libby, two incumbents — Bobbiegene Zimmerman and Rob Delmas claimed two of the three available seats while Katie Benjamin won the third. Zimmerman had the most votes with 1,437. Delmas had 1,271 and Benjamin ...
1 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Candidate Profiles: Senate District 46
May 9—Lake County voters face only two contests at the local level in June's primary. On the Democratic side of the ballot, voters from Ronan south will choose between Jacinda Morigeau and C.B. Pearson, who are each vying to represent Senate District 46. The winner will face Republican candidate Charles Headley in the general election. On the Republican side of the ballot, challengers Wes ...
7 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
School election results: Kila, Smith Valley bonds rejected
May 8—Voter turnout was high and votes were close in multiple school elections Tuesday. The following preliminary results are unofficial until each respective school board canvases them. Kila School and Smith Valley School each had bond issues on the ballot that did not pass. Kila School Kila voters shot down an $8 million bond issue to expand the school in a 103 to 516 vote. There were 1,201 ...
7 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Gabriel, Nunnally returned to Kalispell City Council in special election
May 8—Six months after a ballot mishap left the outcomes of two Kalispell City Council races in doubt, incumbents Kari Gabriel and Sam Nunnally secured their reelection bids during Tuesday's special election. Gabriel, who represents Ward 1, topped challenger Wes Walker 654-541, according to unofficial results tallied by the Flathead County Election Department. Nunnally beat rival Gabriel ...
1 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Special election: Evergreen Fire levy approved; Big Mountain resort tax gains support
May 8—Evergreen voters on Tuesday approved a permanent levy to fund Evergreen Fire and Rescue. The levy is expected to net $2.55 million in its first year, and would allow the department to field six personnel at all times, grant moderate wage and benefit increases to employees, and allow the agency to simultaneously respond to multiple calls, fire officials said. Evergreen voters supported ...
3 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
Congressional candidates stop in Great Falls for Democratic primary debate
Democratic candidates for Congress stopped in Great Falls on Friday to debate issues important to Montanans
7 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Lake County gears up for primary election
May 2—The Lake County Election Office is gearing up for the primary election June 4. Election administrator Toni Kramer reports that 124 election judges completed training last week and were officially appointed by Lake County Commissioners Monday. Commissioners also designated polling places for the 2024-2026 election cycle, with a few minor changes. Pablo's two precincts, PAB 01 and PAB 02, ...
2 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Montana Democratic candidates running for Congress to debate in Great Falls Friday
Four candidates for the Congressional District 2 are scheduled to meet Friday night at CMR.
2 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Brockman, Schubert spar at candidate forum
Apr. 28—Incumbent state Rep. Tony Brockman, R-Evergreen, sparred with his GOP challenger Lukas Schubert over who was more fit to serve House District 8 during a candidate forum Wednesday. "I think that it is important that you hear from me regarding ... a number of statements that my primary opponent has made about me," Brockman said during his introduction at the forum, organized by the ...
4 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Gianforte endorses Sprunger, Brockman
Apr. 26—Gov. Greg Gianforte threw his support Thursday behind Republican state Reps. Courtenay Sprunger and Tony Brockman, who are both facing primary challengers endorsed by the Flathead County Republican Central Committee. The Republican governor endorsed 58 candidates ahead of the June 4 primary, describing the slate as "strong, conservative leaders" and proven community leaders, but opted ...
4 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
School board ballots in the mail
Apr. 25—Ballots for school board elections across Lake County were mailed to voters April 22 and must be returned to the Lake County Election Office in the Lake County Courthouse by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. The U.S. Post Office recommends mailing ballots by April 30 — at least a week before Election Day — so they'll arrive at the courthouse by May 7. On Election Day the office will be open from ...
1 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Candidates for statehouse talk Medicaid, property tax reform and child care at chamber forum
Apr. 24—Lawmakers and political hopefuls made their pitches to Kalispell's business leaders last week, arguing largely in favor of lowering property taxes, expanding child care opportunities and reauthorizing the state's Medicaid plan. The April 16 candidate forum was hosted by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, who prepared four questions ahead of the event addressing Medicaid, property tax ...
5 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Two Republicans and a Democrat vie for newly-drawn House District 11
Apr. 17—Three candidates are looking to represent the newly-drawn House District 11, an area encompassing southeast Kalispell, Creston, Lake Blaine and north Bigfork, come November. Republicans Rob Tracy and Ed Bryne, alongside Democrat Jennifer Allen, are all attempting to secure their first term in the state Legislature. Tracy, the former director of transportation for Bigfork School ...
3 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Great Falls School Board election ballots being sent out for May 7 election
Great Falls voters will chose from three candidates for the one seat up for election on the school board.
2 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Civic Duty: Election judges play essential role
Apr. 4—Election judge Paula Craft calls herself "an ambassador for elections and election integrity." She's worked for the Lake County Election Office since 2016 in the third-floor conference room that's transformed into a place called Central Count. "I just feel this is a great way to give back to the community," says Ken Murphy, who retired from the Army and moved to Polson in 2017. He's ...
8 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Flathead leaders lobby for election reform ballot initiatives
Apr. 2—Montanans could see two constitutional amendments on the November ballot, twin initiatives that supporters argue will improve election integrity and empower voters. Supporters of CI-126 and CI-127, the two citizen-led election reform initiatives, are attempting to qualify for the November ballot by gathering signatures from across the state. Each initiative needs more than 60,000 ...
3 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
A who's who of Flathead Valley candidates for the statehouse
Mar. 24—Kalispell Republican Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, like many other Flathead Valley legislators, will face an opponent in this year's primary election: political hopeful Shaun Pandina. Sprunger, a business owner who was born and raised in Kalispell, is running for a second term in House District 7, an area that encompasses the city's downtown. "As a freshman legislator, I delivered on every ...
11 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
County Republican committee endorses primary challengers to Brockman, Sprunger
Mar. 20—The Flathead County Republican Central Committee has endorsed the primary opponents of two GOP lawmakers seeking reelection to the state Legislature after both opted against participating in the group's endorsement process. Among the candidates to earn the central committee's backing are Shaun Pandina, who is running against Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, R-Kalispell, in House District 7, ...
4 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Dist. 3 commissioner, clerk and recorder seats up for grabs
Mar. 19—The June 4 primary election in Lincoln County is shaping up to be an interesting one. There are four candidates seeking the District 3 county Commissioner seat. Two Republicans, one Democrat and one Independent filed to run for the six-year term. Incumbent Josh Letcher has held the seat since being elected in 2018. He collected 2,479 votes to beat Mike Cole by 233. He'll be opposed by ...
3 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Lincoln Co. voters will decide fate of county library system
Mar. 15—Voters in Lincoln County will decide the fate of its three libraries. At a special meeting on Monday, March 11, Commissioners Josh Letcher, Brent Teske and Jim Hammons voted to put the question of forming a separate library district on the June 4 primary election ballot. Voters who support the creation of the district will be approving 13.49 mills of property tax to operate the ...
7 min read - PoliticsLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
More candidates enlist before Monday deadline
Mar. 14—Monday's deadline evoked a last-minute flurry of candidate filings at the local election office and with the Secretary of State. Four Republicans, plus an Independent, are now vying for the District 3 Lake County Commission seat held by Gale Decker (see separate story about a challenge to the incumbent's eligibility). Republican Max Krantz filed Monday, joining Decker, Josh Senecal and ...
3 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Commission candidate alleges Decker doesn't reside in Ronan district
Mar. 14—Josh Senecal, a candidate for Commission District 3, filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Political Practices Feb. 29, alleging that incumbent Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker, who has filed for reelection, does not reside in the district he serves. Commission District 3 includes portions of both Polson and Ronan, bordered by 7th Ave., Hillcrest and Hwy. 35 in Polson to the ...
4 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Brodehl has Democrat challenger for Flathead commission seat
Mar. 13—Flathead County commissioner Republican Randy Brodehl will face challenger Democrat Jim Lockwood in this fall's election. Brodehl is seeking his second term in the position to represent District 3 in the western part of the county. He previously served as a representative for House District 9 in the state Legislature. Brodehl was a volunteer and career firefighter for nearly four ...
2 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
GOP primary for western U.S. House district will feature a Todd, Zinke rematch
Mar. 13—Incumbent U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke will face a familiar opponent in the Republican primary for Montana's western congressional district: retired pastor Mary Todd. Todd, a Kalispell Republican who challenged Zinke in the 2022 race for Montana House District 1, is again running for the seat, citing disappointment with Zinke's track record in Congress. "I supported Ryan Zinke after the last ...
4 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
More than 300 candidates file to run for Montana Legislature seats in 2024
The window for candidates to file for the 2024 primary closed Monday, giving Montana its first full look at who is running for office.
6 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Flathead Republicans not completely sold on perceived frontrunner Sheehy
Mar. 10—Montana's Republican heavyweights have thrown their support behind Bozeman businessman Tim Sheehy as the GOP's best shot at unseating incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, but not everyone is sold. "Overall, across the state, what people are communicating to me is that it's still a mixed message. [Some people] are saying, look, we need to consolidate behind Mr. Sheehy in order to go into the ...
6 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Candidates file for election in county races
Mar. 10—The list of candidates running for office in Flathead County remains short. Commissioner Randy Brodehl has filed for re-election seeking his second term in the position. The Republican last year announced his plan to seek the office again to represent District 3 in the western part of the county. No challengers — Republican or Democrat — had filed for the seat as of last week. The ...
1 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Former Cascade County election staff accused of maleficence in Irrigation District election
An elections office employee of more than 16 years is accused of errors in an irrigation district election last May.
7 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Advocates speak as county commissioners ponder library system future
Mar. 8—Sharee Miller is the librarian and project manager of the Lincoln County Library branch in Troy, but she doesn't know for how much longer. "This isn't fun for me not knowing if I'll have a job or not," Miller said in an interview Wednesday afternoon with The Western News. Miller had spoken earlier that morning via Zoom during a public hearing about putting the possible formation of a ...
7 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Filing deadline is Monday for federal, state, county elections
Mar. 7—The filing deadline is March 11 — less than a week away — for candidates seeking federal, state or county offices. According to a press release from the Secretary of State's office, 32 candidate filings were processed last week. As of March 1, a total of 328 candidate filings had been processed for 173 different offices. As the deadline nears, candidates dropped out of some races to ...
4 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
New Cascade County Election Administrator hopes to turn page on office controversy
Terry Thompson, on the job just three weeks, faces challenges, brings new optimism to county's process before a May election.
5 min read - USThe Whitefish Pilot, Mont.
Compensation for Whitefish City Council, judge to go on ballot
Feb. 28—Whitefish City Council plans to put the issue of compensation for the mayor and councilors, including health insurance, on the ballot in November. In order to assist the council as they considered expanding the health insurance benefits for the council, staff at a work session last week provided a table showing the 2024 budget for city employees' health care programs. An individual ...
4 min read - USThe Whitefish Pilot, Mont.
Compensation for Whitefish City Council, judge discussed
Feb. 28—Whitefish City Council plans to put the issue of compensation for the mayor and councilors, including health insurance, on the ballot in November. In order to assist the council as they considered expanding the health insurance benefits for the council, staff at a work session last week provided a table showing the 2024 budget for city employees' health care programs. An individual ...
4 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Ryan Busse introduces running mate at SKC
Feb. 22—Salish Kootenai College was the first stop in gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse's swing through Montana this week to introduce his running mate, Helena attorney Raph Graybill. The two appeared Monday at a gathering of around 60 people in the Sherri McDonald Hospitality Room at the college gym. Their next stop was Helena, where they officially filed Tuesday. Busse, a former firearms ...
4 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Whitefish aims to join state property improvement loan program
Feb. 19—Whitefish is looking to implement a program that would assist businesses and other organizations make improvements to their property through loans. City Council on Tuesday will vote on whether to create a Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancement program. It would allow owners to apply for loans to make improvements to properties for water conservation, energy efficiency, and ...
4 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
County selects former Realtor CEO as new elections administrator
After removing responsibilities for elections from the elected Clerk and Recorder, Sandra Merchant, county commissioners named a new administrator.
4 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Voters will decide on local government review
Feb. 16—City councils in Libby, Troy and the Lincoln County Commissioners both recently approved resolutions that will add another item to the June 4 primary election ballot. The resolutions call for elections where voters will decide if the municipalities will conduct a local government review. According to the state Constitution, each unit of local government must conduct a local election ...
2 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
Rosendale drops U.S. Senate bid days after announcing run
Congressman cites Trump endorsement as major factor, says he’s considering next move
4 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Brockman faces a Regier-backed challenger for House District 8
Feb. 15—A member of Northwest Montana's conservative political dynasty is seeking to oust incumbent Rep. Tony Brockman, throwing support behind a young, inexperienced challenger. Republican voters of House District 8, which includes Evergreen and North Kalispell, will vote between two Republicans come June's primary election — Brockman and newcomer Lukas Schubert, who has earned the ...
4 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
Republicans want to take the Senate. A hard-right Montana lawmaker could crash the party
Senate Republican leaders view Rosendale as too divisive to appeal to the state's large contingent of independents.
5 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
Republican Rosendale to enter U.S. Senate race, upending GOP bid to take seat from Democrat
The reported move sets up a primary battle between the firebrand conservative Rosendale and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy.
3 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Voters likely to decide fate of three county library branches
Feb. 6—The fate of the three branches of the Lincoln County Library will likely be in voter's hands in June. After celebrating the 100th anniversary of the formation of the county library system a little less than four years ago, the branches in Libby, Troy and Eureka now seem to be at the mercy of the voters. The county commissioners unanimously approved on Jan. 31 a resolution to form a ...
6 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Great Falls School Board election to go forward with all mail-in ballots
The Cascade County Commission is handling election duties after removing them from the Clerk and Recorder's Office in December.
2 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
House Speaker Matt Regier has Republican challenger for Senate seat
Jan. 25—Montana House Speaker Matt Regier will face off with Kalispell businessman Marquis Laude in a Republican primary campaign for the Flathead Valley's open Senate District 5 seat. Regier represented Kalispell's House District 4 the last four sessions and has reached his term limit. Senate District 5 includes a portion of Kalispell west of Meridian Road, the West Valley area, Kila, ...
7 min read - USClark Fork Valley Press & Mineral Independent, Plains, Mont.
Loge to run for Senate District 45
Jan. 24—Rep. Denley Loge of St. Regis will run for Montana's Senate District 45 in the next election. The district covers Mineral County, Sanders County east of Plains, Missoula County west of Frenchtown, Lolo, Lolo Creek and Missoula southeast of 39th Street. "I am proud and excited to announce my candidacy for state Senate," Loge said in a press release. "Fiscal management and strong ...
1 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Cascade County Commission weighs hybrid poll and mail-in options for school board election
Cascade County commissioners are likely to make a decision next week for the May election.
4 min read - PoliticsDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Tranel, Zinke teams spar on congressional campaign trail
Jan. 24—Democrat Monica Tranel knocked her opponent, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, during a stop in Kalispell earlier this month for what she described as his lack of presence on the campaign trail. "My strategy is to really meet with and connect with my constituents," Tranel said. "I haven't seen Zinke at all and I haven't talked to anyone who's seen him so I don't even know if he comes to Montana." ...
4 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Candidates begin to file for county, school trustee seats
Jan. 23—Candidates are beginning to file for this year's June 4 primary election for elected offices in Lincoln County. Doug Davies has filed to run for the District 3 county Commissioner seat. Davies is currently a Eureka City Council member. Davies will be opposed by incumbent Josh Letcher, who has held the seat since he was elected in 2018. Letcher said he will soon file to run. The seat is ...
2 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Kalispell Public Schools levies on tap for May election
Jan. 11—Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted to run levy elections in May. The school district may also choose to cancel but had to approve the elections to meet upcoming state deadlines. Amounts will be set at a later date. The vote was unanimous to hold an elementary technology levy and an 8-1 vote to run a high school general fund levy. Trustee Lloyd Bondy, who was ...
5 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Polson Commission wraps 2023 with full agenda
Jan. 4—The Polson City Commission dashed through a blizzard of agenda items during the first hour of its final meeting of 2023, earning the following praise from City Manager Ed Meece: "Fourteen items in one hour is probably a record." The first portion of the meeting, held Dec. 18, was devoted to a public hearing on a prioritized project list for the new State-Local Infrastructure Partnership ...
7 min read - USLake County Leader, Polson, Mont.
Redistricting reshapes local House and Senate races
Jan. 4—Thinking of running for elected office? Filing opens Jan. 11 for a slew of county and state positions. At the state level, a shuffle of legislative districts caused by the most recent round of redistricting will pit some old allies against one another while potentially opening up new opportunities for Democrats in a few of Lake County's Republican-dominated districts. Tracy Sharp, chair ...
5 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
Councilor joins lawsuit over Kalispell election redo
Dec. 29—A Kalispell city councilor will be allowed to participate in a case that seeks to nullify the November municipal election and hold it again. Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison has granted Ryan Hunter's motion to intervene in the matter. Following a clerical error in the Nov. 7 election, the county election administrator — through a court petition filed early this month ...
3 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Cascade County Nov. 7 election count off by 51 votes; cited as reason for clerk's dismissal
Cascade County commissioners move forward with replacing elections administrator following controversial municipal elections
7 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Cascade County selects former Merchant staffer as interim administrator
Commissioners made the choice for an interim after taking a controversial vote earlier this month to remove elections from Sandra Merchant's role.
5 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Montana voter registration guide: How to check voter registration status, what to know
What to know about the 2024 election in Montana.
3 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Cascade County's vote to strip elections from clerk and recorder reflects deeper divide
In a split vote, Cascade County Commissioners elected to remove election administration duties from embattled Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant.
11 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Election official: Residents’ votes may be ‘nullified’ while commissioners mull change
Tensions are high after the county struggled to balance voting results from recent elections and missed a canvassing deadline.
6 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
County gets debriefing report from election administrator
Dec. 5—The Lincoln County Commissioners held a debriefing session last Wednesday about the 2023 election. District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske said the commissioners wanted to hold the session after he said he received quite a few questions from voters about ballot problems and other issues. "There are some misconceptions by the voters and us and we want to get things straight for the next ...
7 min read - USDaily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
County seeks new election for Kalispell Council races
Dec. 1—The Flathead County election administrator through a court petition is seeking a redo for the Kalispell municipal election. The Flathead County Attorney's Office on Friday filed a petition in Flathead District Court on behalf Election Administrator Debbie Pierson seeking to annul the Nov. 7 election. The petition also requests permission to conduct a new election for the four Council ...
2 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
Cascade County commissioners certify Nov. 7 election results
Commissioners certify Nov. 7 election results.
1 min read - USThe Western News, Libby, Mont.
Lincoln Co. Election Office moves operations to courthouse
Dec. 1—The Lincoln County Election Department has a new home, at least for the time being. According to Election Department Administrator Melanie Howell, she and her assistant, Sierra Gustin, were asked to move their operations to the Clerk and Recorder's Office in the courthouse. Their last day, for now, in the Election Office in the county Annex building was Tuesday, Nov. 21. "I'm not sure ...
5 min read - PoliticsGreat Falls Tribune
Abortion advocates submit ballot issue affirming right to terminate pregnancy in Montana
If the ballot initiative passes, the right to abortion access would be spelled out as a Constitutional right on its own.
3 min read - USGreat Falls Tribune
When will it count? Cascade County's Nov. 7 election results still in limbo
Nov. 7 election results still uncertified as Cascade County Commissioners debate proper election canvass meeting methods
8 min read
