Montana Legislature Proposes Bill to Align Municipal Elections with Federal Schedule
Montana’s HB 221 seeks to synchronize municipal elections with federal and state elections in even-numbered years to boost voter turnout. Supported mainly by Republicans, the bill is under consideration in the Montana Legislature after passing the House. Local officials express concerns about visibility amid numerous candidates, but proponents assert potential benefits for civic engagement.
The Montana Legislature is currently reviewing House Bill 221, proposed by Representative Lukas Schubert, which aims to realign municipal elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. This shift would synchronize local elections with federal and state election cycles, fostering greater civic participation. The bill has garnered support from a majority of Republicans and faced opposition from nearly all Democrats, passing through the House with a 57-42 vote and subsequently moving to a Senate committee for further consideration.
Should HB 221 be enacted, municipal elections will continue as scheduled this year, but winning candidates will only serve a one-year term before facing re-election in 2026, alongside the new schedule. Additionally, special elections will occur in 2026 and 2028 to transition officials whose terms expire in 2027 and 2029. This restructuring affects key cities including Billings, Bozeman, Helena, and Great Falls, all of which will elect mayors in 2025.
Great Falls City Commissioner Joe McKenney has expressed concerns regarding how a substantial number of candidates on the ballot during federal and state elections could overshadow local candidates, complicating their efforts to gain voter attention.
Representative Schubert believes that moving municipal elections will provide an opportunity for increased voter turnout from individuals who may not typically engage during odd-numbered year elections. He asserts that local issues will remain visible on the ballot, despite them coinciding with larger national elections. In fact, certain cities like Butte and Anaconda have already seen success with local elections during even years, often yielding higher voter engagement.
A comparative analysis of voter turnout illustrates the potential benefits of consolidating election times. In 2024, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County saw an impressive 81% turnout during the general election, while Butte-Silver Bow County followed closely with 76%. In contrast, municipal elections held in 2021 witnessed markedly lower engagement with 48% turnout in Yellowstone County and Lewis and Clark County, and merely 45% in Missoula County.
Despite a previous attempt to pass a similar bill that failed in the House last year, Schubert remains optimistic about this proposal, attributing the current momentum to enhanced support from the Montana Secretary of State’s Office.
In summary, House Bill 221 proposes moving Montana’s municipal elections to even-numbered years to enhance voter participation. While there are concerns from local officials regarding the saturation of candidates during federal and state election seasons, proponents argue that increased turnout and heightened awareness of local issues could offset those challenges. Successful examples from Butte and Anaconda suggest that this alignment may ultimately benefit local governance.
Original Source: www.kxlf.com
