Update April 23 with early filing

Filing opens April 17 for city elections.

The November ballot this year includes mayor, twow city commissioners for four year terms, 45 Neighborhood Council representatives, and one Municipal Court judge for a four year term.

The city is planning a mail ballot election and all newly elected officials will take office in January 2026.

Filing for city offices is open April 17 through June 16.

By 5 p.m. April 17, Cory Reeves, Joe McKenney and Mark Dunn had filed to run for re-election to their current positions of mayor, commissioner and judge respectively.

On April 18, Jasmine Taylor, a local activist, had filed for mayor and Mathew Pipinich filed to run for a commission seat, according to Terry Thompson, Cascade County elections administrator.

On April 21, Pete Anderson filed for a commission seat.

Susan Wolff’s seat is up for reelection this year. 

As of April 23, she had not filed for reelection.

Candidates must complete a declaration of nomination and oath of candidacy form at the Cascade County elections office at 325 2nd Ave. N.

Under state law, candidates must be residents of the city and registered voters to be considered a qualified elector.

Those interested in running for mayor, commissioner or Neighborhood Council must be qualified electors within the city.

Those seeking a commission seat must have been a city resident for at least the 60 days preceding the election.

Mayoral candidates must be at least 21 years old, a Montana resident for at least three years and a city resident for at least two years preceding the election.

Candidates for Neighborhood Council must be residents of their designated neighborhood district.

Municipal Court judge candidates shall have the same qualifications as a judge of the district court as set forth in state law, except a Municipal Court judge need only be admitted and in good standing to the practice of law in Montana for at least three years prior to the date of election.

A Municipal Court judge must be a county resident for a year preceding the election and  a resident and qualified elector in the city at the time of election. 

A Municipal Court judge shall become certified, under state law, to assume the functions of that office.

Filing fees are:

• $56.16 for mayor
• $37.44 for commissioner
• $0 for Neighborhood Council
• $1,278.50 for the incumbent Municipal Court judge or $1,198.60 for others filing for the position

Under city code, the salary of each commissioner is $312 monthly. The salary of the mayor is $468 monthly.

Commissioners and the mayor also receives a $175 monthly stipend.

If the Cascade County election administrator determines a primary election is necessary, it will be Sept. 9.

The general election is Nov. 4.

The city operates under the commissioner-manager form of government and the commission serves as the city’s legislative and policy-making body.

Commissioners employ the city manager, who directs the day-to-day operations of the city.

The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of every month.

In 1996, a local government study commission recommended the formation of neighborhood councils to provide opportunities for citizen involvement in city government.

That proposal was placed on the ballot and approved.

Since then, neighborhood councils have operated in an advisory capacity and as liaisons to city staff, commissioners and residents. Councils typically meet monthly.

In 2022, voters approved a charter amendment to add a second Municipal Court judge and one was elected in 2023.

The second position is designated as Department B and subject to a four-year term.

Additional information about 2025 city election is available on the city website, by contacting the Cascade County election office at 406-454-6803, Lisa Kunz, city clerk at 406-455-8451, or Rob Moccasin, Neighborhood Council liaison, at 406-788-1129.