PRIA Logo™
MontanaHB 40669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise election laws related to school election deadlines

Sponsored By: Fiona Nave (Republican)

Became Law

ElectionsSchools and EducationLocal Government

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Earlier ballot and absentee timelines

The district clerk must certify the list of candidates and ballot issue wording at least 40 days before the election. The clerk then arranges ballot printing. Absentee ballots must be printed and ready at least 20 days before election day.

Earlier school election call and notice

Trustees must call the regular school election at least 145 days before election day, by resolution. They may amend that resolution until 70 days before the election. The clerk must send the resolution to the county election administrator within 3 days. For a mail election, the clerk must also send the approved mail‑election plan as soon as the secretary of state approves it.

New rules for write-in candidates

To run as a write-in, file a signed declaration by 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the earliest date ballots must be available. File with the right office (secretary of state, local election administrator, or school clerk). You may file by email, fax, mail, or in person. Your filing counts only after the required fee is received. The secretary of state must tell local election officials, and they must tell election judges; if a county runs a school election, the school clerk must notify the county. You cannot add a party, nonpartisan, or independent label for a general‑election write‑in. If a listed candidate dies or is charged with a felony after the deadline and the election is not canceled, you may file as a write‑in as late as 5 p.m. the day before election day.

Trustee filing and withdrawal deadlines

To run for school trustee, file with the district clerk no earlier than 145 days and no later than 85 days before election day. A trustee write‑in must file by 5 p.m. on the 65th day before the ballot‑certification deadline. To withdraw, send a written statement that clearly identifies you and the office; the clerk must confirm receipt. You cannot withdraw after 5 p.m. the day before the ballot‑certification deadline if you filed by the regular deadline.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Fiona Nave

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Wendy McKamey

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 433 • No: 58

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 2

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 43 • No: 5

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 40 • No: 8

House vote • 2/24/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 72 • No: 27

House vote • 2/22/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 83 • No: 16

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/15/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/23/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/11/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/18/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/3/2025Senate

  17. Transmitted to Senate

    2/24/2025House

  18. 3rd Reading Passed

    2/24/2025House

  19. 2nd Reading Passed

    2/22/2025House

  20. Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/19/2025House

  21. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/19/2025House

  22. Hearing

    2/6/2025House

  23. First Reading

    2/6/2025House

  24. Referred to Committee

    2/6/2025House

  25. Introduced

    2/6/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/19/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/6/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation