76-15-303. General election -- election by acclamation -- appointment. - Montana Statutes

     76-15-303. General election -- election by acclamation -- appointment. (1) All qualified electors within the district are eligible to vote in the election.
     (2) Except as provided in subsection (5), the candidate or, if more than one supervisor position is to be filled by the general election, the candidates who receive the largest number, respectively, of the votes cast in the election are the elected supervisors for the district.
     (3) In the general election, the names of the individuals nominated must be arranged on ballots as prescribed in 13-12-205.
     (4) The election administrator in each county shall prepare suitable nonpartisan ballots or place the names of candidates on the regular general election ballot in the same manner as other nonpartisan candidates for the election of supervisors. The ballots must be delivered to the election judges in those precincts that contain registered electors prior to each general election and each primary election, if necessary. The election judges and other election officials in the precincts shall submit the ballots to qualified electors, conduct the election, and tabulate the results of the election in the manner provided in Title 13.
     (5) (a) Except as provided in subsection (5)(b), if the number of candidates nominated is equal to or less than the number of positions to be elected, the election administrator shall give notice that an election will not be held.
     (b) The governing body may require that an election be held if, not more than 10 days after the close of filing by candidates, the governing body passes a resolution to hold an election and notifies the election administrator.
     (c) If an election is not held, the governing body shall declare elected by acclamation the candidate who filed a nominating petition for the position. If no candidate has filed a nominating petition for the position, the governing body shall make an appointment to fill the position. Supervisors taking office pursuant to this subsection serve a term as if elected to the position.

     History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 72, L. 1939; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 431, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 91, Ch. 253, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 18, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 76-106(part); amd. Sec. 369, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 76, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 576, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 184, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 254, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 90, Ch. 414, L. 2003.