Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 5. GENERAL OPERATION AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Part 44. Municipal Elections

Division Of Municipalities Into Wards

7-5-4401. Division of municipalities into wards. (1) The first city or town council elected under the provisions of this title must divide the city or town into wards for election and other purposes, having regard to population so as to make them as nearly equal as possible.

(2) (a) Cities of the first class must be divided into not less than four or more than 10 wards.

(b) Cities of the second class must be divided into not less than three or more than six wards.

(c) Cities of the third class must be divided into not less than two or more than four wards.

(d) Towns must be divided into not less than two or more than three wards; provided, however, that the town council may by ordinance reduce the number of wards in a town to only one if it so desires.

(3) All changes in the number and boundaries of wards must be made by ordinance. No new ward must be created unless there shall be within its boundaries 150 or more electors.

History: (1)En. Sec. 4746, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 3222, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 5001, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 5001, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 11-707, R.C.M. 1947; (2), (3)En. Sec. 4747, Pol C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 3223, Rev. C. 1907; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 74, L. 1909; re-en. Sec. 5002, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 5002, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 39, L. 1943; Sec. 11-708, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 11-707, 11-708.