Missoula council votes to hold 2025 elections by mail and to run primaries for races with three or more candidates

The Missoula City Council on June 16 approved two election-related resolutions: a resolution to conduct the 2025 municipal primary and general elections by mail ballot, which passed 7–2, and a separate resolution requiring nonpartisan primaries for races with three or more candidates, which passed with eight votes in favor and one abstention.

The council first considered whether the 2025 municipal primary and general elections should be conducted by mail ballot. Councilor Cheryl said the city has used mail ballots in recent elections and argued they produce higher turnout and cost savings: “The mail in ballot, has a high turnout. It also is cheaper. So we're we're I'm supporting that for that reason.” Despite that, two members voted against the mail-ballot resolution; the motion passed 7–2.

The second resolution called for nonpartisan primary elections for any municipal office that has three or more candidates reported by the county elections office, singling out the office of mayor and several ward races. The motion specified a primary date of Sept. 9, 2025. Councilor Basica said she would abstain from the primary-for-three-or-more vote because the change would affect her race and she did not want personal bias to influence her vote; the roll call shows one abstention and the resolution passed.

Debate touched on ballot security and turnout. Councilor Anderson argued in favor of mail ballots, citing local election administration transparency and higher turnout: “to date, there has never, you know, there has not been any evidence or studies or to show that 1 is better than the other,” Anderson said, adding that mail ballots have been shown to increase turnout because voters have more time to research and return ballots.

The council’s actions direct the city to proceed with mail-ballot administration for its 2025 municipal elections and to implement primaries for contests with three or more candidates, with dates to be coordinated with the Missoula County elections office. The resolutions passed by recorded roll call votes; the administration and county elections office will carry out implementation steps required for mailing ballots and processing primaries.