Candidate Filing Deadline is Monday, March 15

HELENA — Secretary of State Linda McCulloch reminds Montanans that the deadline for all candidates to file with the Secretary of State or county election office a declaration of nomination for placement on the primary ballot is Monday, March 15 at 5 p.m.

“Voting and running for public office are two of our most fundamental rights as citizens of this great state,” McCulloch said. “The steady number of candidate filings indicates 2010 is going to be a strong election year.”

So far, 274 candidates had filed for both the legislative and non-legislative races. For a complete list of candidates and eligible offices, logon to the Secretary of State’s website at sos.mt.gov. The list is updated daily.

Candidates may file electronically via the Secretary of State’s online candidate filing service, in person at the Secretary of State’s office, by mail, or by facsimile. Forms postmarked by the deadline, but not received by the deadline, cannot be accepted.

The deadline is for every candidate, regardless of party affiliation. Certain candidates, that included those from independent and minor parties, were required to submit their Petition to county election administrators Monday, March 8. However, the time period for those candidates to collect additional petition signatures and submit them to county election offices is still March 15.

Within the Flathead Indian Reservation, are several Senate and House Districts that may or may not have any challengers are as follows:

Senate District 6, which covers 1,278 sq. miles and consists of Flathead and Lake Counties, is represented by Mr. John Brueggeman, (R), of Polson.

Senate District 7, which covers Sanders, Mineral, and Missoula Counties, consists of 4,336 sq. miles, is represented by Greg Hinkle, (R), of Thompson Falls.

Senate District 8, one of the bigger districts, covers Glacier, Toole, Flathead, Pondera, Lake, and Missoula Counties, and also contains portions of the Blackfeet and Flathead Indian Reservations. The district covers 5,949 sq. miles. Carol Juneau, (D), of Browning currently represents the district, however because of term limits, she will vacate the seat.

To date, Shannon Augare, (D), of Browning and Joey Jayne, (D) of Arlee have filed for Senate District 8.

House District 11, with 944 sq. miles, covers portions of Flathead and Lake Counties, has Janna Taylor, (R), of Dayton, for its representative. Polson resident, J. Garth Cox, (R) and incumbent Taylor have filed for the seat.

House District 12, with a mere 334 sq, miles, resides all in Lake County and the Flathead Indian Reservation. John Fleming, (D) of St. Ignatius is the representative and he has filed for reelection. Daniel R. Salomon of Ronan and John Swenson of Finley Point, both republican, has also filed.

House District 13, with land covering 2,260 sq. miles within Sanders County, has Pat Ingraham, (R), of Thompson Falls and so far is the lone candidate for HD13.

House District 14, currently represented by Gordon Hendrick, (R), of Superior, has also filed for reelection. Judy Stang, (D), of St. Regis is also vying for HD14.

House District 15 with approximately 3,137 sq. miles, represents Glacier, Flathead, Pondera, Lake, and Missoula Counties, and also the Blackfeet and Flathead Reservations by Frosty Calf Boss Ribs, (D) of Heart Butte.

Boss Ribs and democratic challenger, James Steele, Jr. of Arlee, along with Ronan resident, Joe Read, (R), have applied for HD15.

According to the SOS website, a person has to be a resident six months preceding the election in their respective districts in order to be an eligible candidate in the Montana legislature.

There are 150 members comprise the legislature with the Senate having 50 members, and the House having 100 representatives.

Half of the Senate members are elected every two years and all 100 of Montana’s House members are voted for every two years to a two-year term.

In 1992, Montana voters approved to limit the number of terms that legislators and other state officials may serve. As a result of these term limits, an individual may serve as a state representative or senator for no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.

To file for candidacy, seek additional information on ballot issues or candidates, or to learn more about the legislature, visit the Secretary of State’s website at sos.mt.gov