Montana’s House Bill 221 proposes moving municipal elections to even-numbered years to coincide with federal and state races, enhancing voter participation. Supported largely by Republicans, the bill has sparked debate about candidate visibility during larger elections. If passed, future municipal elections will see restructured schedules starting in 2026, with immediate elections in 2023 for shorter terms.
In Montana, upcoming municipal elections are poised for change, as House Bill 221, sponsored by Representative Lukas Schubert, seeks to shift these elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, aligning them with federal and state elections. The bill, which passed the House with a 57-42 vote, has seen strong Republican support and significant opposition from Democrats. It has recently been introduced to a Senate committee for further consideration.
If enacted, House Bill 221 will still allow municipal elections to occur this year; however, the elected officials will serve only one-year terms before transitioning to the new election schedule beginning in 2026. Additionally, special elections will take place in 2026 and 2028 for one-year terms, allowing officials with expiring terms in 2027 and 2029 to adjust to the new timeline. Key cities such as Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Kalispell, Great Falls, and Helena are set to elect mayors in 2025.
Concerns regarding this change have been raised by local officials like Joe McKenney, a city commissioner from Great Falls, who expressed that the inundation of candidates during federal and state elections may hinder city candidates from gaining voter attention. He stated, “There’s only so many billboards, there’s only so many bench signs… How do we get our message out?”
Representative Schubert countered these concerns, suggesting that moving elections to even-numbered years would actually give more citizens a chance to engage in local politics, as they could vote on municipal issues alongside larger federal and state contests. Cities currently conducting elections in even years, like Butte and Anaconda with consolidated city-county governments, report heightened voter engagement in conjunction with federal elections.
For instance, voter turnout in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County reached 81% in 2024 during federal elections, illustrating the increased visibility local races receive during such major events. Comparatively, turnout for 2021 municipal elections averaged only 45-48% in several counties. Schubert noted that the Montana Secretary of State’s Office is now in favor of moving municipal elections, which could result in a more favorable outcome for the bill this legislative session.
House Bill 221 aims to align Montana’s municipal elections with state and federal elections, potentially increasing voter turnout and engagement. Despite concerns regarding diminished attention for local candidates amidst larger elections, proponents advocate that this change will enhance awareness of local issues. The bill’s progress suggests a shift in approach towards local elections, potentially transforming future voting dynamics in Montana.
Original Source: www.kxlf.com
