Legislators changed election rules this session and some of the changes will impact the November city election.

Lawmakers passed House Bill 207 and Gov. Greg Gianforte signed it on May 12.

The bill went into effect immediately changing the candidate filing opening and closing dates for the Municipal election.

The opening date is changed from 145 days before an election to 105 days, which in this case in May 27.

Under the previous laws, filing opened April 17 and multiple candidates have already filed for city offices.

The bill also changes the last day of filing from 85 to 90 days prior to the election, which moves the closing date from June 16 to June 11.

Filing for city elections opens April 17

The bill also changed the write-in candidate filing deadline to 90 days before the election, which is June 11.

The bill also added a provision that any unsuccessful candidate in a primary election cannot file as a write-in candidate for the following general election, as former County Commission Rae Grulkowski did last year.

Candidates who filed before the bill’s effective date were doing so under the old law and are fine, according to Terry Thompson, county election administrator, and information she received from the Montana Secretary of State.

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For candidates who haven’t yet filed but are considering doing so, the SOS directive given to election administrators is to hold on filing and processing those filings until May 27.

The November city ballot this year includes mayor, two 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.

As of May 21, incumbent Cory Reeves has filed for reelection and Jasmine Taylor has filed to challenge him.

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Incumbent Joe McKenney has filed for another term as City Commission and Mathew Pipinich and Pete Anderson have filed for commission seats.

Mark Dunn has filed for reelection as a Municipal Court judge.

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

No primary needed for city election [2023]

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.

Several neighborhood councils currently have no candidates.

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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.

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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.

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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.