HB 207: Revise candidate filing and write-in candidate laws - Montana

HB0207_4(5).pdf → HB0207_X.pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill revises Montana's candidate filing laws to require candidates to file for office earlier, before the primary election, rather than after. It also prevents unsuccessful primary candidates from seeking nomination again in the general election and lowers the signature requirement for third-party or independent candidates. These changes aim to streamline the election process, ensure earlier candidate vetting, and make it easier for independent candidates to run for office.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of candidate filing requirements to include local and state offices, with specific new deadlines for special purpose districts and conservation districts. It also adds restrictions on write-in candidacy for those who failed in the primary.

TIMELINE

Changed the candidate filing deadline for local government offices to be between 90 and 105 days before the election, moving it earlier than the previous 85 to 145 days window.

Extended the deadline for filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate from the 65th day to the 90th day before the election.

Adjusted the candidate filing deadline for special purpose district offices to be between 90 and 105 days before the election.

REQUIREMENT

Added a prohibition preventing unsuccessful primary candidates from seeking nomination by write-in vote or petition in the general election for the same office.

Decreased the signature percentage required for third-party or independent candidate petitions, though the exact new percentage is not specified in the provided text.

HB0207_3(12).pdf → HB0207_4.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill number was updated from HB 207.3 to HB 207.4, and the title was slightly modified to clarify that the signature percentage requirement is being both increased and decreased. The most significant substantive change is the extension of the deadline for filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate from 65 days to 90 days before an election, giving candidates more time to prepare. The list of sponsoring legislators was also updated to reflect the current composition of the House.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the write-in candidacy deadline was expanded to allow for a longer preparation period, while the legislative title was adjusted to reflect a dual action on signature thresholds.

TIMELINE

The deadline for filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate was extended from 65 days to 90 days before the election date.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from HB 207.3 to HB 207.4.

The list of sponsoring representatives was updated to reflect the current membership of the House.

REQUIREMENT

The bill title was amended to explicitly state that the signature percentage requirement is being both increased and decreased.

HB0207_2(16).pdf → HB0207_3.pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill number was updated from HB 207.2 to HB 207.3, indicating a revision to the legislative text. The changes appear to be primarily technical and formatting updates, such as updating the bill version number on the title page and adjusting line numbering, rather than substantive policy shifts.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from HB 207.2 to HB 207.3 throughout the document.

HB0207_1(7).pdf → HB0207_2.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill underwent minor formatting and numbering adjustments, including the addition of a hyphenated year indicator and a change in the bill identifier from 'HB 207.1' to 'HB0207.2'. These changes appear to be technical updates to the document's layout and versioning rather than substantive policy modifications.

TECHNICAL

The bill header identifier was updated from 'HB 207.1' to 'HB0207.2', and a hyphen was added before the year '2025' in the header.

The page header text was adjusted to reflect the new version number 'HB0207.2' instead of 'HB 207.1'.

LC1223.pdf → HB0207_1.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill transitions from a legislative committee draft (LC 1223) to an authorized print version (HB 207), incorporating sponsor names and refining the text for official publication. The substantive policy content regarding election deadlines and candidate filing rules remains identical, with no changes to scope, funding, or eligibility criteria.

TECHNICAL

Added the full list of bill sponsors and updated the bill title to reflect the official House Bill number.

Replaced the committee draft identifier 'LC 1223' with the official 'HB 207' designation throughout the document.

Adjusted page headers and footers to indicate this is an 'Authorized Print Version' rather than a working draft.

Revise candidate filing and write-in candidate laws

What changed between versions

How they voted

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