MontanaSB 5769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise county canvassing processes

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Public, faster county canvass rules

County vote canvasses are public and follow clear steps. Boards open the returns, audit tally books, and total votes by precinct. They must compare votes to the number of electors and to the number of people who voted. They must record all write-in votes. Returns cannot be rejected for small mistakes that do not affect who votes were cast for. If votes exceed voters or an error affects totals, the board must investigate at once and finish within 2 days. The board can require a recount or inspect ballots, and any board-ordered recount follows the state’s standard recount procedure.

Recounts for close statewide contests

For multi-county offices, a defeated candidate gets a recount if the margin is 0.25% or less and the candidate files a verified petition with the secretary of state within 5 days after the canvass. Statewide questions get a recount if the margin is 0.25% or less and a petition with at least 100 electors from at least five counties is filed within 5 days. Multicounty district questions get a recount if the margin is 0.25% or less and a petition with at least 25 electors from at least two counties is filed within 5 days. When these petitions are filed, the secretary of state must immediately notify election administrators, and recounts must be done in all precincts in each affected county.

Recounts in close local races

In single-county offices, a defeated candidate gets a recount if the loss is 0.25% or by 10 votes or less, whichever is larger, and the candidate files a verified petition within 5 days after the official canvass. Local ballot questions get a recount if the margin is 0.25% or less and at least 10 electors file a petition within 5 days. For school elections, recount petitions must be filed with the school election filing officer.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mike Cuffe
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Curtis Cochran
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 287 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 47 • No: 2

Senate vote • 2/7/2025