The bill amends sections 13-38-201 and 13-38-202 of the Montana Code Annotated to allow appointed precinct committee representatives to reside outside the precinct they serve. Under the new provisions, if a political party struggles to fill precinct committee positions with local residents, it can adopt rules permitting the county central committee to appoint a resident of the county, even if that person does not live in the affected precinct. The appointed representatives will serve until the next regular election and cannot run for the position at that election, although they may be reappointed if no other candidates are elected.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that vacancies in the office of precinct committee representative can occur only due to the death, written resignation, or loss of residency of the incumbent, unless the representative was appointed under the new rules allowing for non-residency. This change aims to enhance the flexibility of political parties in appointing representatives and addressing challenges in filling these positions.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 13-38-201, 13-38-202