(MT Free Press – curated from MT Lowdown)
After Cascade County commissioners stripped county Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant of election oversight, supporters rallied to petition the issue with Cascade County voters.
In December 2023, the commissioners voted 2-1 to transfer election duties to an appointee, but left Merchant in the position of Clerk and Recorder. Supporters started gathering signatures to put the issue to vote, with a goal of 7300 signees.
Montana law allows 90 days to gather sufficient signatures on a county wide ballot. As of the day before the deadline, less than 2000 people signed the petition, falling vastly short of the signatures required. Critics attribute the shortfall to the sudden action from the commission, lack of awareness of the petition, and the narrow timeframe to gather signatures.
Terry Thompson, the appointed overseer of election duties in Cascade County, will continue in the role. Thompson was unanimously approved for the position by Cascade County commissioners in February.
