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House committee recommends moving municipal elections to even-numbered years
Summary
The Montana House Committee of the Whole voted 55-45 to recommend passage of House Bill 221, which would shift municipal elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years; supporters said the change would raise turnout and save money, opponents warned of administrative burdens and local races being drowned out.
Representative Schubert moved that the committee recommend passage of House Bill 221, a proposal to move municipal elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. The Committee of the Whole voted to recommend the bill, 55–45.
Supporters said aligning municipal elections with even‑year cycles would increase turnout and reduce the number of separate elections administrators must run. Representative Schubert, the bill sponsor, told the committee municipal turnout is currently lower than turnout in midterm and presidential years and cited local examples: "in Missoula…
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