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Committee hears technical fix to remove uncontested precinct committee races from ballots
Summary
Senate Bill 184, sponsored by Sen. Matt Regier, would clarify that uncontested precinct committee positions need not appear on ballots; clerks and election officials supported the change as a ballot-cleanup measure. Committee closed the hearing after Q&A.
Senator Matt Regier opened on Senate Bill 184, a narrowly tailored bill to clarify ballot language for precinct committee persons so that uncontested seats do not unnecessarily appear on the ballot.
Regina Plentenburgh of the Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders testified in support, calling the amendment a useful clarification to remove voter confusion and streamline ballots; she said Secretary of State guidance currently led many counties to place both positions on the ballot even when one was uncontested.
County elections staff were available to answer technical questions. Committee members asked whether prior proposals to remove gender requirements for precinct committee roles had passed; Plentenburgh said that bill did not pass and confirmed the current guidance. The sponsor closed and thanked the committee; the hearing ended without a recorded committee vote.
