Filing in the city election closed at 5 p.m. June 11 and there are not enough candidates to require a primary.

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.

City election filing closes June 11

Incumbent Cory Reeves filed for reelection and Jasmine Taylor filed to challenge him.

Incumbent Joe McKenney filed for another term as city commissioner and Mathew Pipinich, Pete Anderson and Casey Schreiner filed for commission seats.

Legislative changes will impact city election, filing dates changed

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

Susan Wolff’s seat is up for reelection this year and she is not seeking reelection.

Some neighborhood councils still don’t have enough candidates to fill a council, which is five members.

Filing for city elections opens April 17

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.

Election 2024: Preliminary results

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.

County preparing for November election, concern over write-in candidate stickers [2024]

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.

No primary needed for city election [2023]

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.

Filing closed for city election; officials working to certify candidates for ballot [2021]

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.

City Commission discusses annual goals

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.

Cascade County voters reject local government reviews [2024]

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.