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Proposal to move municipal elections to even years draws support from Secretary of State and mixed operational feedback from clerks
Summary
Representative Lucas Schubert presented HB221 to shift municipal elections to even-numbered years, citing higher turnout in even years and cost savings; Secretary of State supported the bill, while clerk associations cautioned about ballot complexity and temporary election‑administration workload increases.
Representative Lucas Schubert opened testimony on House Bill 221, which would shift municipal elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years.
Schubert argued the change would ‘‘drastically increase voter participation in local elections’’ and cited turnout comparisons (examples included 44% in Missoula municipal election years and up to 81% in presidential years) to support moving municipal elections to even-numbered years.
Austin James of the Secretary of State’s office testified as a proponent, saying studies show ballot drop-off from longer ballots does not outweigh the turnout difference between on‑ and off‑year elections and that the Secretary of State supports the bill despite expected temporary increased workload in federal election years.
Regina Plentenberg of the Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders and other clerks provided neutral, informational testimony. Plentenberg said the move would increase ballot styles and could require reprecincting in some counties, producing uneven operational impacts: "It will cause some more ballot splits... it will be different in every county." Eric Semerad corroborated operational concerns, noting Gallatin County experienced a two-page ballot and that counting time and programming costs increase with additional ballot sheets.
Committee members asked about the frequency and timing of reprecincting, potential second-page ballots, and how cities would be charged for ballot costs. Clerks and the Secretary of State said additional ballot pages and corresponding counting time were possible and that cities typically pay their share for municipal-only ballots. The sponsor closed by noting the Secretary of State’s shift to supporting the policy compared to prior sessions and said he would work with stakeholders on details.
No formal action was taken at the hearing.
