HB 527: Revising the process for written plans of conduct for mail elections - Montana

HB0527_X(1).pdf → HB0527_X(2).pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated to update requirements for mail-in ballot plans and voter registration procedures. A key addition requires the county election administrator to manage voter registration and prepare lists, while a formatting change updates the year in the bill header from 2025 to 2025 (no change). These technical and procedural updates aim to clarify administrative responsibilities for election officials.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on election administration, specifically mail-in ballot plans and voter registration lists.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the county election administrator to manage voter registration and prepare voter lists.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted formatting in the bill header and subsection numbering, though the substantive year remains 2025.

HB0527_3(4).pdf → HB0527_X.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the rules for mail-in elections in Montana, specifically clarifying that the election administrator must submit a written plan to the Secretary of State at least 60 days before an election. It also mandates that this plan be publicly posted on the county election office website or noticed in another way at least 60 days prior to the election. If the plan is not posted by this deadline, the election automatically defaults to a traditional in-person polling place election.

Scope change

The bill expands the public transparency requirements for mail-in election plans by adding a mandatory posting deadline and a specific consequence (defaulting to in-person voting) if the deadline is missed.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the written mail ballot plan must be posted on the county election office website or publicly noticed at least 60 days before the election.

ENFORCEMENT

Added an automatic consequence where the election defaults to a polling place election if the plan is not posted at least 60 days prior.

TIMELINE

Clarified the submission timeline for the election plan to the Secretary of State, ensuring it is received at least 60 days before the election.

HB0527_2(15).pdf → HB0527_3.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill updates the numbering sequence for the legislative session and significantly restructures the requirements for mail-in ballot plans. It replaces a single general notice requirement with specific, separate notification rules for county elections versus school elections, ensuring distinct compliance paths for each entity type. Additionally, the bill clarifies that any amendments to a mail ballot plan must be published at least 35 days before the election, maintaining the same deadline for changes as the original plan.

Scope change

The scope of applicability was refined by explicitly distinguishing between elections conducted by the county election office and those conducted by school districts, requiring different notification methods for each.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced a single general rule for posting election plans with specific, separate requirements for county elections and school elections.

Added a specific requirement that any amendments to a mail ballot plan must be noticed at least 35 days before the election.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill version number from HB0527.2 to HB0527.3 and adjusted page numbering.

HB0527_1(5).pdf → HB0527_2.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill amends election procedures to provide more flexibility in how mail-in ballot plans are publicized, allowing them to be posted online or noticed publicly in other ways. It also clarifies that if a school election plan is not posted on the school district website, it must still be posted on the county election office website or noticed publicly to avoid defaulting to a polling place election. These changes aim to modernize election communication methods while ensuring voters remain informed about mail-in voting options.

Scope change

The bill expands the methods for publicizing election plans to include online posting or other public notices, in addition to traditional posting on county election office websites.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for posting election plans to allow for online posting or other public notices instead of solely requiring posting on the county election office website.

Added a specific requirement that school election plans must also be posted on the school district website if the election is a school election.

Clarified that if an election plan is not posted using at least one of the approved methods, the election defaults to a polling place election.

LC2058.pdf → HB0527_1.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from LC 2058 to HB 527 and updated with the primary sponsor's name, M. Thiel. The text includes minor formatting adjustments to the numbering of subsections regarding mail ballot election plans, such as reordering or renumbering items within the rules adoption section.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was changed from LC 2058 to HB 527, and the sponsor was identified as M. Thiel.

Minor formatting changes were made to the numbering of subsections in the rules adoption section, shifting items from (3)(2) to (3)(2) and (5)(4) to (5)(4).

Revising the process for written plans of conduct for mail elections

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