7-2-2221. Determination of county seat -- temporary county seat. - Montana Statutes

     7-2-2221. Determination of county seat -- temporary county seat. (1) If the proposed new county is to be formed from one county or from portions of two or more existing counties, the question of the election of the county seat is hereby provided to be submitted to the qualified electors of the proposed new county at the election provided for in 7-2-2215(1), and the majority of all the votes cast therefor shall determine the election thereon.
     (2) (a) In case any city or town fails to receive a majority of all the votes cast, then the city or town receiving the highest number of all votes cast shall be designated as the temporary county seat. The temporary county seat selected upon the organization of such county shall remain as such county seat until the permanent county seat shall be established as provided by law.
     (b) In case any city or town is not the choice of the election for the county seat by a majority of all the votes cast, the question of choice between the two cities or towns for which the highest number of votes shall have been cast shall be submitted in like manner to the qualified electors at the next general election thereafter.
     (c) When the county seat shall have been selected as herein provided, it shall not thereafter be changed except in the manner provided by law.
     (3) If the proposed new county is to be an existing county enlarged by territory taken from one or more other counties, the question of the election of the county seat may not be submitted to the electors at the election provided for in 7-2-2215.

     History: Ap. p. Sec. 3, Ch. 226, L. 1919; re-en. Sec. 4394, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 4394, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 406, L. 1973; Sec. 16-505, R.C.M. 1947; Ap. p. Sec. 1, Ch. 16, Ex. L. 1919; re-en. Sec. 4392, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 4392, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 16-503, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 16-503(part), 16-505(part); amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 742, L. 1985.