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MontanaHB 52769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revising the process for written plans of conduct for mail elections

Sponsored By: Morgan Thiel (Republican)

Signed by Governor

ElectionsPublic Officers and Employees

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Local control and statewide mail rules

The law removes the Secretary of State’s plan-by-plan approval for mail elections. The Secretary now sets uniform statewide rules to prevent fraud, handle and count mail ballots accurately, and protect ballot secrecy, with advice from local officials. Local election administrators must write a plan for each mail election and may run the election under that plan unless the election is canceled by law.

Mail plans posted, or vote in person

At least 60 days before a mail election, the written plan must be posted or publicly noticed. Counties post on the county election website if active or use other public notice. For school elections, the plan follows school notice rules, is posted on the district website if active, and is sent to the county election office. Any plan change must be noticed at least 35 days before the election. If the plan is not posted by 60 days using these methods, the election becomes a polling-place election.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Morgan Thiel

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Amy Regier

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 479 • No: 15

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 91 • No: 8

House vote • 3/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 91 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/25/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/14/2025Senate

  17. 1st Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading

    3/7/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading

    3/5/2025House

  21. Committee Report

    2/25/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action

    2/25/2025House

  23. Hearing

    2/21/2025House

  24. 1st Reading

    2/18/2025House

  25. Referred to Committee

    2/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/25/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/18/2025

    PDF

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