Missoula County opposes HB 248, Revise the Montana primary election date, up for hearing tomorrow morning, in the House State Administration Committee.
HB 248 would move filing deadlines to December and change an already challenging overlapping election schedule with school elections, which would add confusion to voters and candidates.
The current election schedule has helped candidates and voters be prepared for upcoming filing periods and when to expect a ballot in the mail. HB 248 would not simplify the schedule, but it would unnecessarily change the candidate filing period and election to December and place the election before the regularly scheduled May school/special district election. This does not allow sufficient time for closeout of municipal elections before candidate filing begins and would overlap with the January absentee maintenance performed.
Sent Feb. 1:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives,
Missoula County opposes HB 248, Revise the Montana primary election date, up for hearing tomorrow morning, in the House State Administration Committee.
HB 248 would move filing deadlines to December and change an already challenging overlapping election schedule with school elections, which would add confusion to voters and candidates.
The current election schedule has helped candidates and voters be prepared for upcoming filing periods and when to expect a ballot in the mail. HB 248 would not simplify the schedule, but it would unnecessarily change the candidate filing period and election to December and place the election before the regularly scheduled May school/special district election. This does not allow sufficient time for closeout of municipal elections before candidate filing begins and would overlap with the January absentee maintenance performed.
Please oppose HB 248.