Copperton amends county election contract as town prepares for new candidate disclosure rule

Copperton’s Town Council voted to approve an amended contract with the county for election services and discussed a new state requirement that candidates submit expanded conflict‑of‑interest statements before their declarations of candidacy will be accepted.

Town Clerk Diana told the council the county had originally priced the town’s election assuming at‑large seats rather than seat‑specific contests; because Copperton votes by seat, the county recalculated costs, increasing several line items. Diana said the amendment changes the quote for primary and general elections across base, high‑participation and low‑participation scenarios. She described primary per‑seat costs that rose from the prior estimate and said the general election costs changed less dramatically.

Diana also outlined recently enacted state legislation (referenced in the meeting as HB 443) that requires anyone filing a declaration of candidacy to complete a conflict‑of‑interest form before the town clerk can accept the filing. The clerk said the form can take substantial time to complete, may require candidates to disclose past convictions (except expunged or dismissed matters and routine traffic violations), and will be posted publicly once a complete statement is filed. The council directed staff to publicize the new filing requirements and to consider posting the form on the town website so prospective candidates can prepare.

Council members moved and seconded approval of the county election contract amendment (recorded as resolution R205‑07). The council voted to approve the amendment and directed staff to educate potential candidates about the new disclosure requirement and to provide the form when available.