Topic

Elections

Explore news and analysis on Montana elections, past and present. This archive covers election updates, policy changes, and key races shaping the state. It also includes historical reports on Missoula County’s 2020 General Election, including a January 2021 review of ballot signature envelopes that found 4,592 ballots missing this critical chain-of-custody document. The 2020 General Election in Missoula was conducted entirely by mail-in ballots.

Missoula County Elections Center

Missoula County Mails Out Ballots for School and Special District Elections

Residents encouraged to plan early ballot returns for May 6th mail-only election

East Missoula Rural Fire Department Engine 521

East Missoula Fire District’s Levy Proposal Clarified Amid Initial Confusion

Community to vote on a proposed $300,000 levy for the East Missoula Rural Fire District in the upcoming Special District Election.

Silhouette of a hand placing a vote into a ballot box, symbolizing democracy.

Montana Seeks Federal Help to Clean Voter Rolls and Verify Eligibility

With support from the Trump administration, Montana plans deeper checks on voter eligibility

Judge Dan Wilson

Flathead Judge Dan Wilson Enters Montana Supreme Court Race

Conservative jurist seeks to succeed retiring Justice Beth Baker

Nathan White

How Choteau Officials Used Lawfare to Crush Political Opponent Nathan White

The mayor, city bureaucrats, and Teton County deputies joined forces to dismantle a local reformer’s campaign—and exile him from public life.

Montana Supreme Court Chamber

New Montana Law Lifts Veil on Judicial Candidates’ Political Leanings

The new law aims to enhance transparency in judicial elections by allowing party contributions, aligning with recent Supreme Court rulings on political speech.

Only ten states require voters be United States Citizens

Secretary Jacobsen Leads Coalition Urging DHS to Fortify Voter Verification Systems

Proposed Reforms to Federal Database Aim to Streamline Citizenship Checks, Reduce Costs, and Close Election Security Gaps

Secretary Jacobsen and Montana Legislators Emphasize Voting Rights for U.S. Citizens Only

SB 185, a constitutional amendment making its way through the Montana Senate, would require that only U.S. citizens be allowed to vote.

A shopping cart filled with trash surrounded by more trash near the Clark Fork River waterfront

Journalism Is Not A Popularity Contest

Facing criticism and opposition, Travis Mateer highlights the importance of independent journalism in uncovering the truth about homelessness in Missoula.

2024 RNC Convention attendee holds Trump sign

The Elephant In The Room

Darin Gaub, a delegate from Montana, shares his first-hand experience at the 2024 Republican National Convention. He shares photos from the convention floor and delves into the convention’s highs and lows, the grassroots energy, and the challenges of confronting the entrenched establishment.

Duplicitous Republicans Reframe Platform

Montanans for Life Chair Robin Sertell criticizes the Republican Party’s new 2024 platform, accusing them of abandoning core pro-life principles and engaging in duplicitous rhetoric. Sertell calls for a return to unwavering support for the sanctity of life from conception.

Montana’s Electoral Battleground: What to Expect in 2024

Explore the 2024 electoral landscape of Montana, a key battleground state with 4 electoral votes. Dive into an analysis of past elections, demographic shifts, and predictions for the upcoming presidential race.

Crosspoint Church to Host Election Education Event

Missoula Community to Host Election Education Event at Crosspoint Church

MISSOULA, Mont. (May 11, 2024) — Crosspoint Church will host an election education event on May 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 7500 Mullan Road. The event aims to inform the community about the importance of participating in the upcoming primary and general elections. Candidates from various races will be present to engage with…

Did Kalispell Public Schools Board and Employees Violate Montana Code of Ethics?

This op-ed was originally published at Casey Whalen’s Substack. A recent exposé of emails and text messages show that the upcoming May 2nd Kalispell Public School Board Trustee election has been corrupted by possible violations of the Montana Code of Ethics for public employees. The communications show school district officials and the teachers union President…

What is the Problem with the GOP?

The once Grand Old Party has a major self-inflicted wound. As an institution, it is failing its constituency miserably. A recent Monmouth University poll demonstrates that 61% of the GOP’s Republican voters do not believe the 2020 Presidential election was a valid, fraud-free election. Yet the Republican Party political machine keeps insisting that election was…

Montana Citizenship Voting Bill Leaves More Questions Than Answers

House Bill 402 is a bill that attempts to bring Montana’s voting system into line with Montana’s Constitution, and in particular with Article IV, Section II, which requires that electors be U.S. citizens. The bill states that “[…] verification of a person’s citizenship is fundamental to fulfilling this Constitutional requirement” and intends to do so…

Missoula Republican Chair Calls Police on Another Member

Missoula County Republican Central Committee Chair, Vondene Kopetski, called the police on yet another Republican during Tuesday night’s monthly Central Committee meeting. In 2021, Kopetski called the police on another individual at a committee meeting, a new member, claiming to police that the person had committed elder abuse because of a difference of opinion. Kopetski’s…