SENATE BILL NO. 325
INTRODUCED BY J. HERTEL
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TRUSTEES OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DECLARE A TRUSTEE CANDIDATE ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION WHEN THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FILING FOR A POSITION OR FILING A DECLARATION OF INTENT AS A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE IS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED AND WHEN NO OTHER REASON FOR THE ELECTION EXISTS; AMENDING SECTIONS 20-3-306, 20-3-307, AND 20-20-416, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Election by acclamation. (1) If the number of candidates filing for a position or filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under 13-10-211 is equal to the number of positions to be elected and there is no other reason for the election, the trustees may give notice that an election will not be held. Notice must be given no later than 14 days before the election.
(2) If an election is not held, the trustees shall declare elected by acclamation the candidate who filed for the position or who filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate and issue a certificate of election to the candidate.
Section 2. Section 20-3-306, MCA, is amended to read:
"20-3-306. Conduct of election. (1) The trustees of each district shall call a trustee election on the regular school election day of each school fiscal year under the provisions of 20-20-201, except as provided in 20-3-344 and [section 1]. The trustees shall call and conduct the trustee election in the manner prescribed in this title for school elections and Title 13. Any elector qualified to vote under the provisions of 20-20-301 may vote at a trustee election.
(2) The trustee election ballots shall must be substantially in the following form:
OFFICIAL BALLOT
SCHOOL TRUSTEE ELECTION
INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: Make an X or similar mark in the vacant square before the name of the candidate for whom you wish to vote.
Vote for (indicate number to be elected) for a 3-year term:
[] (List the names of the candidates for a 3-year term with a vacant square in front of each name.)
Vote for (indicate number to be elected) for a 2-year term:
[] (List the names of the candidates for a 2-year term with a vacant square in front of each name.)
Vote for (indicate number to be elected) for a 1-year term:
[] (List the names of the candidates for a 1-year term with a vacant square in front of each name.)"
Section 3. Section 20-3-307, MCA, is amended to read:
"20-3-307. Qualification and oath. (1) Any A person who receives a certificate of election as a trustee under the
provisions of 20-20-416 shall or [section 1] may not assume the trustee position until he the person has qualified. Such The
person shall qualify by completing and filing an oath of office with the county superintendent not more than 15 days after
the receipt of the certificate of election. After a person has qualified for a trustee position, he shall hold such the person
holds the position for the term of the position and until his a successor has been elected or appointed and has been qualified.
(2) If the elected person does not qualify in accordance with this requirement, a person shall must be appointed in the
manner provided by 20-3-309 and shall serve until the next regular election."
Section 4. Section 20-20-416, MCA, is amended to read:
"20-20-416. Certificate of election. After the canvass of the total votes cast, the trustees shall issue a certificate of
election. In the case of a trustee election, either by vote or by acclamation, the certificate shall must be issued to the elected
trustee and the county superintendent designating the term of the trustee position to which he the trustee has been elected. In
the case of an election on a proposition, the trustees shall issue a certificate specifying the outcome of the election. The
certificate shall must be issued to the official or public body which that ordered the election within 15 days after the
election. When the election has been ordered by resolution of the trustees, the canvassed results shall must be published
immediately in a newspaper that will give notice to the largest number of people of the district."
Section 5. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 3, part 3, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 3, part 3, apply to [section 1].
Section 6. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.
- END -
Latest Version of SB 325 (SB0325.ENR)
Processed for the Web on April 1, 1999 (10:18AM)
New language in a bill appears underlined, deleted material appears stricken.
Sponsor names are handwritten on introduced bills, hence do not appear on the bill until it is reprinted. See the status of the bill for the bill's primary sponsor.
Status of this Bill | 1999 Session | Leg. Branch Home
This bill in WP 5.1 | All versions of all bills in WP 5.1
Prepared by Montana Legislative Services
(406)444-3064