85-7-1702. Election or appointment of commissioners -- term of office. - Montana Statutes

     85-7-1702. Election or appointment of commissioners -- term of office. (1) The regular election for commissioners in each district must be held annually in accordance with 13-1-104 and 13-1-401.
     (2) Candidates for the office of commissioner may be nominated by petition filed with the election administrator or deputy election administrator at least 75 days before the election and signed by at least five electors of the district. If no nominations are made, the following procedures must be followed:
     (a) For elections held in accordance with 13-1-401(1), the electors of the district shall write on the ballots the name of the person or persons for whom they desire to vote.
     (b) For elections held in accordance with 13-1-401(2), the electors of the district may either accept nominations from the floor or write on the ballots the name of the person or persons for whom they desire to vote.
     (3) If the number of candidates is equal to or less than the number of positions to be elected, the election administrator may cancel the election in accordance with 13-1-304. If an election is not held, the county governing body shall declare elected by acclamation the candidate who filed a nominating petition for the position. If no candidate filed a nominating petition for the position, the board of commissioners shall make an appointment to fill the position and the term is the same as if the commissioner were elected.
     (4) Within 40 days following their election, the commissioners shall meet and organize as a board by electing a president from their number and a secretary, who may or may not be a commissioner, and who shall each hold office at the pleasure of the board. The term of office of each commissioner begins on the date of the organizational meeting after the regular election and continues for 3 years and until the election and qualification of a successor.
     (5) Commissioners are elected by the electors of the entire district.

     History: En. Sec. 11, Ch. 146, L. 1909; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 153, L. 1917; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 3, L. 1921; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 7, Ex. L. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7176, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 7176, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 302, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 89-1303(part); amd. Sec. 370, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 27, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 40, Ch. 250, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 269, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 254, L. 1999.