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Proposal to move municipal elections to even years draws divided response from cities and election administrators
Summary
Representative Lucas Schubert told the Senate Local Government Committee that moving municipal elections to even-numbered years would raise turnout; local governments and county election officials warned it would lengthen ballots, increase ballot-style complexity, strain vendors and staff, and could drown out local issues during high-dollar state and federal cycles.
House Bill 221 would move municipal elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, sponsor Representative Lucas Schubert told the Senate Local Government Committee, arguing that turnout is consistently higher in even-year federal and statewide cycles.
Schubert said the change would both increase voter participation in municipal contests and reduce the number of separate election events election administrators must run, and he said he will offer a transition amendment to avoid disrupting candidates who have already filed for 2025 races.
The Secretary of State's office, represented by Austin James, expressed support for the bill on the grounds that local leaders should be elected by as many voters as possible, though James acknowledged concerns about down-ballot "drop-off." James urged the committee to consider transition language and to propose practical solutions.
Opponents included the Montana League of Cities and Towns and representatives of several cities (Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls) and counties. Jennifer Olson (League of Cities and Towns) warned that combining municipal contests with general elections would lengthen ballots, increase precinct splits and administrative burden, and risk voter confusion about local wards or councils. Danny Hess (City of Bozeman) said odd-year elections keep local issues "out front and center" and avoid being drowned out by high-dollar campaigns in general elections.
County and municipal election administrators gave detailed administrative testimony. Jasmine Hall (Gallatin County Election Manager) said Gallatin ran 91 ballot styles in last year’s general election and noted that two‑page ballots and many styles increase printing, vendor and staff burdens, counting times and the potential for errors. Connor Fitzpatrick (Lewis and Clark County Elections) urged the committee to use a study process to identify implementation risks, citing precinct‑map misalignments, annexations and the 90‑day precinct-change restriction mentioned by Ravalli County's Regina Plettenberg.
Several opponents recommended a study or clarified that transition timelines, annexation rules and precinct boundaries must be addressed before a statutory change. Representative Schubert said he would offer a transition amendment to ensure the change does not cut short current terms and urged the committee to act rather than postpone study indefinitely.
What’s next: The sponsor said he will propose transitional language to address timing and asked for a do-pass recommendation; no committee vote was recorded during the hearing.
