Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes a comprehensive overhaul of Montana's election laws, primarily introducing a "top two primary" system that allows the two candidates with the highest votes in primary elections to advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. The bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), including provisions for filing recall petitions, filling legislative vacancies, and the appointment of county commissioners. It emphasizes the requirement for recall petitions to be filed with election officials and clarifies the process for legislative appointments to align with the political party preference of the vacating legislator. Additionally, the bill modifies language in several sections, changing "shall" to "must" to reinforce the requirements for filing and appointment processes.

The bill also addresses election procedures, candidate nominations, and absentee voting, introducing new terms and clarifying existing definitions. It establishes specific deadlines for candidate filings and outlines the process for handling vacancies, including provisions for independent candidates. Key amendments include the requirement for candidates to declare their party preference and the introduction of measures to enhance election integrity, such as clearer attribution for election-related communications and regulations against coercive practices by employers. Overall, the bill aims to streamline election processes, enhance voter representation, and ensure the integrity of the electoral system in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-16-615, 3-1-906, 5-2-402, 5-2-403, 5-2-404, 5-2-406, 7-3-313, 7-3-512, 7-3-704, 7-3-1256, 7-4-2106, 7-4-2206, 7-4-2302, 7-4-2310, 7-4-4112, 13-1-101, 13-1-103, 13-1-403, 13-1-502, 13-4-102, 13-10-201, 13-10-202, 13-10-203, 13-10-204, 13-10-208, 13-10-209, 13-10-211, 13-10-301, 13-10-302, 13-10-303, 13-10-325, 13-10-326, 13-10-327, 13-10-405, 13-10-501, 13-10-502, 13-10-505, 13-10-601, 13-10-605, 13-12-201, 13-12-202, 13-12-203, 13-12-205, 13-12-207, 13-13-214, 13-13-225, 13-13-241, 13-14-112, 13-14-113, 13-15-205, 13-15-507, 13-16-211, 13-16-412, 13-16-418, 13-16-419, 13-16-501, 13-17-103, 13-25-201, 13-25-205, 13-27-401, 13-35-106, 13-35-205, 13-35-206, 13-35-207, 13-35-214, 13-35-218, 13-35-221, 13-35-225, 13-35-226, 13-36-101, 13-36-102, 13-36-103, 13-36-104, 13-36-201, 13-36-202, 13-36-203, 13-36-206, 13-36-207, 13-36-209, 13-36-210, 13-36-211, 13-36-212, 13-37-127, 13-37-216, 13-37-234, 13-38-101
SB0562_1(1): 2-16-615, 3-1-906, 5-2-402, 5-2-403, 5-2-404, 5-2-406, 7-3-313, 7-3-512, 7-3-704, 7-3-1256, 7-4-2106, 7-4-2206, 7-4-2302, 7-4-2310, 7-4-4112, 13-1-101, 13-1-103, 13-1-403, 13-1-502, 13-4-102, 13-10-201, 13-10-202, 13-10-203, 13-10-204, 13-10-208, 13-10-209, 13-10-211, 13-10-301, 13-10-302, 13-10-303, 13-10-325, 13-10-326, 13-10-327, 13-10-405, 13-10-501, 13-10-502, 13-10-505, 13-10-601, 13-10-605, 13-12-201, 13-12-202, 13-12-203, 13-12-205, 13-12-207, 13-13-214, 13-13-225, 13-13-241, 13-14-112, 13-14-113, 13-15-205, 13-15-507, 13-16-211, 13-16-412, 13-16-418, 13-16-419, 13-16-501, 13-17-103, 13-25-201, 13-25-205, 13-27-401, 13-35-106, 13-35-205, 13-35-206, 13-35-207, 13-35-214, 13-35-218, 13-35-221, 13-35-225, 13-35-226, 13-36-101, 13-36-102, 13-36-103, 13-36-104, 13-36-201, 13-36-202, 13-36-203, 13-36-206, 13-36-207, 13-36-209, 13-36-210, 13-36-211, 13-36-212, 13-37-127, 13-37-216, 13-37-234, 13-38-101
SB0562_1: 2-16-615, 3-1-906, 5-2-402, 5-2-403, 5-2-404, 5-2-406, 7-3-313, 7-3-512, 7-3-704, 7-3-1256, 7-4-2106, 7-4-2206, 7-4-2302, 7-4-2310, 7-4-4112, 13-1-101, 13-1-103, 13-1-403, 13-1-502, 13-4-102, 13-10-201, 13-10-202, 13-10-203, 13-10-204, 13-10-208, 13-10-209, 13-10-211, 13-10-301, 13-10-302, 13-10-303, 13-10-325, 13-10-326, 13-10-327, 13-10-405, 13-10-501, 13-10-502, 13-10-505, 13-10-601, 13-10-605, 13-12-201, 13-12-202, 13-12-203, 13-12-205, 13-12-207, 13-13-214, 13-13-225, 13-13-241, 13-14-112, 13-14-113, 13-15-205, 13-15-507, 13-16-211, 13-16-412, 13-16-418, 13-16-419, 13-16-501, 13-17-103, 13-25-201, 13-25-205, 13-27-401, 13-35-106, 13-35-205, 13-35-206, 13-35-207, 13-35-214, 13-35-218, 13-35-221, 13-35-225, 13-35-226, 13-36-101, 13-36-102, 13-36-103, 13-36-104, 13-36-201, 13-36-202, 13-36-203, 13-36-206, 13-36-207, 13-36-209, 13-36-210, 13-36-211, 13-36-212, 13-37-127, 13-37-216, 13-37-234, 13-38-101