SCHOOL ELECTIONS

The “Nuts and Bolts”

THE BASICS

School Trustee Elections are held the First Tuesday in May each year.

Trustees are elected to a 3 year seat on their local board.

ANY individual who is a registered voter of the district may file for their name to be on the ballot.

Seats for trustees who are appointed to fill a vacancy on the board must be opened for election at the next May Trustee election.

TYPES OF ELECTIONS

WE WILL REVIEW:

Traditional Poll Elections Processes, Procedures and Forms

Changes from the 2015 Legislature

Mail Ballot Elections Processes, Procedures and Forms

Changes from the 2015 Legislature

Other Elections (formally known as “Special”)

Rules and Specifications for each

TRADITIONAL POLL ELECTIONS

Review the Election Calendar for Deadlines Postings Due Dates Candidacy Filing Deadlines Judges Appointments Absentee Ballots

A Check List to keep track helpful!

CHECK LIST IDEAS

Pick one that works for you! Calendars – Lists – visible and easily found Electronic – desktop

KEEPING TRACK OF DATES AND DEADLINES IS CRUITIAL FOR A UNCONTESTED ELECTION!

CLERK VS COUNTY ELECTION

IF county election administrator agrees to run the school election for the district, verify WHO is doing WHAT Election notices…

What will the County provide for polls/election materials and What do you need to make available?

If you serve as Election Administrator….. County only responsible to provide Voter

Information including Absentee Lists and registration lists

CLERK VS COUNTY ELECTION

Who’s in charge? School Clerk serves as Election Administrator

unless otherwise designated by the board

May request county election administrator to conduct school elections Must be done by Board Resolution

June 1st of the year PRECEDING the election

See election calendar

CANDIDATE FORMS

• Declaration for Nomination and Oath for Candidacy• Check Calendar for dates

• Write in Candidate Declaration for Nomination• Check Calendar for dates

No Withdrawn Form

ELECTION JUDGES

Must be a “Certified” Election Judge –Re-certified every 2 years

• County Certified List• If using your own, district is responsible for

training

ANY registered voter of the district may serve as an election judge who has been certified

Must be appointed by the board or the board must grant authority to the elections administrator to appoint from qualifying judges list

Emergency Provisions –

Notification requirements to Judges

ABSENTEE VOTERS

• Must be a Registered Voter with the County Elections Office• What is a Permanent Absentee Voter?• Exceptions?

• Forms • Application for Absentee Ballot• Procedures for processing absentee ballot

requests

LATE REGISTRATION

• New Requirements for School Elections• Notice requirement • County responsible for processing late

registrations• Late registrants bring form to the district to vote

– becomes part of the official register

SETTING UP

TO BE POSTED AT ALL POLLING SITES: Voter Information Posters Warning Posters Sample Ballots –

From the Printer Marked “Sample” Notice on ID and Provisional Balloting Verification of Voter Info Poster Map of District Boundaries Voter Registration Tables Ballot Boxes (one for stub/one for ballot)

With locks or secure access Poll Booths – What defines a Poll Booth? Provisional Ballots Materials – what are

Provisional Ballots?

First 3 items must be posted in Polling areas and in each poll booth

ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES

• Election Poll Site must be ADA compliant – What does this mean?

• Voter Registration – NOT AT THE POLLS!

• Election Administrators vs Judges Responsibilities -Who should have final decisions if there are disputes?

• Provisional Ballots – Definition and Purpose

ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES

• Poll hours – close at 8:00 p.m.

• Vote Counting

• Posting of Election Results – At polling place and local newspaper

• Board Canvass of Election Results

• ReCounts

• Organizational Meeting of• The Board

ELECTION CALENDAR REVIEW and QUESTIONS

• http://sos.mt.gov/elections/Officials/Forms/index.asp

• Review of Important Dates

• Changes from the 2015 Legislature

*20-3-305, 20-3-338 and 20-3-344 (repealed) – no nomination petition, *20-20-201(a) any mail ballot plan and amendments must be immediately transferred,

*13-2-304 the requirement that districts must notice the close of regular registration

REVIEW OF ELECTION FORMS

• http://sos.mt.gov/elections/Officials/Forms/index.asp

• Absentee Ballot Register• Ballots – numbered and perforated• List of all Voters• Poll Book/Register – supplied by county (electronic?)• Election Judges Oath forms (in poll book?)• Polling Site Forms

“OTHER” ELECTIONS

• Formally known as Special Elections• Bond Elections• Technology Elections• Levy Reserve Elections

• Follow same timelines as in regular elections –

• Changes - • Technology levies / requirements

MOCK ELECTION

Nicole Thuotte – OPI (406) 444-4524 nthuotte@mt.gov

Noreen Anderson – Hellgate Elementary (406) 728-5626 nanderson@hellgate.k12.mt.us

Judy Ward – Harrison Schools(406) 685-3428 jward@harrison.k12.mt.us

Lora Tauck – Ekalaka Schools(406) 775-8602 lorat@ekalaka.k12.mt.us

Betty Brumwell – Dutton/Brady Schools(406) 476-3201 bettyb@tetonwireless.net