Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County election office updates ballot language, cancels three primary races and continues ExpressVote school contract
Summary
Election Administrator Toni Hofland told commissioners that Montana law requires revised yes/no ballot wording and that she plans to cancel three uncontested primary races; she also presented the routine school-district contract permitting use of one ExpressVote accessibility machine.
Election Administrator Toni Hofland told the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission on March 10 that state law changes require revised ballot wording and confirmed she plans to cancel three uncontested primary races to reduce costs and potential ballot errors.
"Please consider this letter my official notice that pursuant to MT Code Annotated 13-14-115, I plan to cancel the Commission District 4, Commission District 5, and Justice of the Peace 2026 Primary Election races," Hofland said, adding that each race has fewer than three filed candidates and no filed write‑in candidates, so "all candidates will be moving forward to the General Election regardless of the Primary outcome."
Hofland briefed the commission on changes stemming from Senate Bill 11 and Montana Code 13-28-206 that alter the language presented next to ballot checkboxes. "The 'for' and 'against' statements ... are no longer appropriate," she said, and ballot questions will now appear with a simple "yes" or "no" choice. County Attorney Morgan Smith said the legislation also directs the chief election administrator to use a numerical coding system for issues; she said "CW" will designate county-wide levies going forward.
Hofland also presented the recurring contract allowing local school districts to borrow one county ExpressVote machine for their school elections. "It gives them the right to use one of our expressvote machines," she said, noting the devices provide accessible options including audio, sip‑and‑puff capability and screen magnification so voters with disabilities can vote privately. Commissioners and Hofland said school elections remain mail-in ballots but are still legally required to offer an accessible voting machine.
Chair Kevin Hart said a special meeting will follow the work session so Hofland can finalize corrected ballot language in time for ballot certification. Hofland said the county must complete ballot certification by March 16. Commissioner Mike Beausoleil voiced support for Hofland's plan to cancel the uncontested primaries, quipping, "Save a tree." The commission did not override Hofland's notice.
No members of the public spoke during the work session. The items requiring formal action will appear on the commission's special meeting agenda.
