1988 candidate information guide

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1988

CANDIDATE

INFORMATION

GUIDE

STATE DOCUMENTS CCLLFCTlOri

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A, MONTANA 59621"

Prepared by:

jim Waltermire
Secretary of State
Montana State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620

DECLARATION FOR NOMINATION

Parlisan nnd non|wr1is<in candirlales lor iiomindlion
in the 19K8 primary must fik- .1 decl.ir.ilion ior nomina-
tion. Candirlates for congressional, slate and district of-
fices, including legislative, file with the Secretary of
State. Candidates for a county, precinct or district of-
fice, other than legislative or judge of district court, to
be voted for in only one county, file with their County
Election Administrator.

Along with filing a declaration for nominatifin, can-
didates must pay the required filing fee. Forms for the
respective offices and the amount of the filing fee can
be obtained from the Secretary of Slate or County
Election Administrator.

FILING DATES

Candidates can file for their respective offices be-
tween Monday, January 25, 1988 and .5;(X) p.m. on
Thursday, March 24, 1988. Forms received after that
5:00 p.m. deadline won't be accepted for filing, even if
they bear a postmark dated before the deadline.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES

It's very important that all legislative candidates
check to see that they are registered at the proper ad-
dress and they know the number of the FHouse and
Senate district they wish to file for.

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

independent candidates will appear only on the
general election ballot. Such candidates must file peti-
tions for nomination accompanied by appropriate fil-
ing fee and an oath of candidacy.

Contact the County Election Administrator or Sec-
retary of State for specific laws in regard to the petition
and filing deadlines.

WRITE-IN NOMINATIONS

Individuals nominated by having their names writ-
ten in on the primary ballot, and who desire to accept
the nomination, may not have their names printed on
the general election ballot unless they:

(1 ) received at least 5"/ii of the total votes cast for the
successful candidate for the same office in the last gen-
eral election;

(2) file with appropriate official a written declaration
indicating their acceptance of the nomination no later
than 1 0 days after the official canvass;

(3) pay the required filing fee; and

(4) tile reports of contributions and expenditures
with the Commissioner of Political Practices and
County Election Administrator as required.

Representative Districts ~" '-■*'f?A^R'y

100 to be elected — one from each district.
Term: 2 years

Qualifications: Same as Senator.
COUNTIES

Offices may vary according to official plan of govern-
ment in each county and particular vacancy situations.
The Terms and Qualifications vary. See your County
Election Administrator for details.

1988 CANDIDATE CALENDAR

lanuary 25: First day for filing Declarations lor Nomi-
nation by candidates for the 1 988 Primary
Nominating Election.

Candidates must file certification of cam-
paign treasurer with Commissioner of Po-
litical Practices and County Election Ad-
ministrator within 5 days after filing.

March 10: Statewide candidate campaign report
due to Commissioner of Political Prac-
tices.

March 1 7: Last day to file petitions for nomination by
independent and minor party candidates
with the County Election Administrator
for verification and certification.
Last day to file petitions to allow minor
party to nominate candidates by primary
election with the election administrator
for verification and certification.

March 24: Last day to file Declarations for Nomina-
tion for state, district, county and precinct
offices.

Last day for filing Petition for Nomination
by independent and minor party candi-
dates for General Election Ballot.
Last day for candidate to withdraw from
the election. Musi file notarized state-
ment of withdrawal with the olfice where
he filed his Declaration for Nomination.

May 9: Close of Registration for primary election.

May 23: Statewide candidate campaign report
due to Commissioner of Political Prac-
tices.

May 27: State district candidate campaign report
due to Commissioner of Political Prac-
tices.

)une 2: Statewide candidate campaign report
due to Commissioner of Polili< al Pra< -
lices.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT

Wilhin S (lays .itler filing, .1 t.iiuliflatt' must file cerli-
rication of a campaign Ireasurer wilh the Commis-
sioner ot Political Practices and appropriate County
Election Administrator.

Information and forms for filing reports can be re-
ceived by contacting Dcjiores Colburg, Commissioner
of Political Practices, Capitol Post Office, Helena, MT
59620. Copies of the campaign finances and practices
laws will be furnished to candidates by the Commis-
sioner or the Secretary of State.

CANVASS OF VOTES — PRIMARY

After the election and county canvass, all votes for
state and district candidates will be canvassed by the
Secretary of State, in the presence of the Attorney
Gfeneral, State Auditor and the Superintendent of Pub-
lic Instruction. The Secretary of State will then issue a
certificate of nomination to the successful nominees.

All votes for county candidates will be canvassed by
the County Election Administrator and County Com-
missioners. The results for the respective offices are
certified to the County Election Administrator who
then will issue a certificate of nomination to the suc-
cessful nominees.

The names of the nominees, independent and mi-
nor party candidates are then printed on the ballot for
the general election.

CANVASS OF VOTES — GENERAL

The same procedure is followed as after the pri-
mary. The Governor or County Election Administrator
will then issue commissions of election to the success-
ful candidates. Any individuals elected by write-in
must comply with (2) & (4) of "Write-in Nominations"
outlined above.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICES TO
BE FILLED IN THE 1988 ELECTION
UNITED STATES SENATOR

Term: 6 years

Qualifications: 30 years old, a U.S. Citizen tor 9 years,

and a resident of Montana when elected.

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

First and Second Districts

Term: 2 years

Qualifications: 25 years old, a U.S. Citizen for 7 years,

and a resident of Montana when elected.

GOVERNOR
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Term: 4 years (joint filing required)
Qualifications: 25 years old, a U.S. Citizen and a resi-
dent of Montana for 2 years.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Term: 4 years

Qualifications: 25 years old, a U.S. Citizen and a resi-
dent of Montana for 2 years.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Term: 4 years

Qualifications: Same as Secretary of State and engaged
in the active practice of law thereof for at least 5 years
before election.

STATE AUDITOR

Term: 4 years

Qualifications: Same as Secretary of State.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER

Districts 2, 4 and 5

Term: 4 years

Qualifications: 18 years old and a qualified elector of

district.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Term: 4 years

Qualifications: Same as Secretary of State and holds at
least a bachelor's degree from any unit of the univer-
sity system or from an institution recognized as equiva-
lent by the Board of Public Education for teacher certi-
fication purposes.

CLERK OF SUPREME COURT

Term: 6 years

Qualifications: 1 8 years old and a qualified elector.

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

Seat Numbers 5 & 6

Term: 8 years

Qualifications: Resident of Montana for 2 years and

admitted to practice of law in Montana for at least 5

years prior to date of election.

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

Term: 6 years

Qualifications: Same as Supreme Court Justice.

LEGISLATURE
Senate Districts

2, 4, 9, 10, 1 1, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 33,
35, 36, 37, 40, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50.
Term: 4 years

Qualifications: 18 years old, 1 year resident of Mon-
tana and 6 month resident of county or district.

Representative Districts " ^'^RAKY

100 to be elected - one from ea( h flislrlct.
Term: 2 years

Qualitications: Same as Senator.
COUNTIES

Offices may vary according to official plan of govern-
ment in each county and particular vacancy situations.
The Terms and Qualifications vary. See your County
Election Administrator for details.

1988 CANDIDATE CALENDAR

lanuary 2S: ( irsi d.iy lor filing Detldrdlioni lix Nomi-
nalion by candidates for the 1 988 Primary
Nominating Election.
Candidates must file certification of cam-
paign treasurer with Commissioner of Pf)
litital Practices and County Election Afl
ministrator within S days after filing.

March 10: Statewide candidate campaign report
due to Commissioner of Political Prac-
tices.

March 1 7: Last day to file petitions for nomination by
independent and minor party candidates
with the County Llcclion Administrator
for verification and certification.
Last day to file petitions to allow minor
party to nominate candidates by primary
election with the election administralor
for verification and certification.

March 24: Last day to file Declarations for Nomina-
tion for state, district, county and precinct
offices.

Last day for filing Petition for Nomination
by independent and minor party candi-
dates for General Election Ballot.
Last day for canrlidatc to withriraw from
the election. Musi fili> notarized state-
ment of withdrawal with the office where
he filed his Dec laralion for Nomination.

May 9: Close of Registration for primary election.

May 2 i: Statewide candidate campaign rejxjrt
due to Commissioner of Political Prac-
tices.

May 27: State dislrici candidate cam|X)ign report
due to Commissioner of Political Prac-
tices.

lune 2: Statewide canrlidale campaign re|M)rt
due to Commissioner of Politic .il Prac-
tices.