Bill would require local election administrators to post mail-ballot plans online instead of filing with Secretary of State

The House State Administration Committee heard House Bill 527, which would require local election administrators to post written plans for mail elections on their websites instead of filing each plan with the Secretary of State.

The sponsor, Representative Teal (House District 30), said the change would reduce redundant filings and better serve the public because the Secretary of State's office receives hundreds of plans in some years. "Some years the secretary receives around 500 plans and filing with the secretary is unnecessary," the sponsor said, noting the bill applies only to mail elections and not to primaries or general federal elections.

Austin James, speaking on behalf of the Secretary of State, described the practical burden of reviewing hundreds of mailed ballot plans and recounted office experience where staff spent time checking dates and returning incorrect filings. He said the office at times had two full-time staff reviewing mail ballot plans and illustrated errors arising from counties resubmitting prior years' plans with outdated dates. James also told the committee that one county currently lacks a website and that the bill's sponsor should work with counties to ensure an alternative posting method in that case.

Regina Plettenberg of the Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders appeared as an informational witness to answer committee questions.

Representative Teal closed by asking for a do-pass recommendation, saying the bill "eliminates busy work for election administrators and it's good policy for Montana."

No committee vote on this bill was recorded in the provided transcript; the hearing closed after sponsor remarks.