Signed by Governor Greg Gianforte

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the election law regarding minor parties to change the deadline for gathering signatures on an elector's petition.

Highlights:

• Defines "minor party" as a political party that does not qualify to hold a primary election under 13-10-601(1) (Sec. 11-3).

• Defines "support or oppose" as referring to or depicting a minor party in a manner that is susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than to advocate for or against a minor party's qualification to hold a primary election (Sec. 11-7)."

• Establishes when a petition containing a sufficient number of verified signatures has been filed and verified with the secretary of state as provided in this part, the secretary of state will immediately certify that the completed petition qualifies the party to hold a primary election (Sec. 5-1).

• Requires the county official certifying the sheets or sections of a petition to keep a copy of the sheets or sections certified in the official files of the official's office. The copies may be destroyed 3 months after the date the petition was certified unless a court action is pending on the sufficiency of the petition. If a court action is brought within 3 months after the date the petition is certified, the county official may destroy the files only after final disposition of the court action (Sec. 6).

• Requires each political party that had a candidate for a statewide office in either of the last two general elections who received a total vote that was 5% or more of the total votes cast for the most recent successful candidate for governor to nominate its candidates for public office, except for presidential electors, by a primary election as provided in this law (Sec. 9).

• Requires a person who spends or receives money to support or oppose an effort to qualify a minor political party for primary elections using the petitions to comply with the provisions of Title 13, chapter 37, part 6 (Sec. 10).

• Requires a reporting entity to file a closing report whenever all debts and obligations relating to the effort to support or oppose the qualification of a minor political party for primary elections are satisfied and further contributions or expenditures will not be received or made that relate to qualifying the minor political party for primary elections using the minor party petition (Sec. 13-4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the election law regarding minor parties to change the deadline for gathering signatures on an elector's petition.

Highlights:

• Defines "minor party" as a political party that does not qualify to hold a primary election under 13-10-601(1) (Sec. 11-3).

• Defines "support or oppose" as referring to or depicting a minor party in a manner that is susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than to advocate for or against a minor party's qualification to hold a primary election (Sec. 11-7)."

• Establishes when a petition containing a sufficient number of verified signatures has been filed and verified with the secretary of state as provided in this part, the secretary of state will immediately certify that the completed petition qualifies the party to hold a primary election (Sec. 5-1).

• Requires the county official certifying the sheets or sections of a petition to keep a copy of the sheets or sections certified in the official files of the official's office. The copies may be destroyed 3 months after the date the petition was certified unless a court action is pending on the sufficiency of the petition. If a court action is brought within 3 months after the date the petition is certified, the county official may destroy the files only after final disposition of the court action (Sec. 6).

• Requires each political party that had a candidate for a statewide office in either of the last two general elections who received a total vote that was 5% or more of the total votes cast for the most recent successful candidate for governor to nominate its candidates for public office, except for presidential electors, by a primary election as provided in this law (Sec. 9).

• Requires a person who spends or receives money to support or oppose an effort to qualify a minor political party for primary elections using the petitions to comply with the provisions of Title 13, chapter 37, part 6 (Sec. 10).

• Requires a reporting entity to file a closing report whenever all debts and obligations relating to the effort to support or oppose the qualification of a minor political party for primary elections are satisfied and further contributions or expenditures will not be received or made that relate to qualifying the minor political party for primary elections using the minor party petition (Sec. 13-4).

Full Bill Text