Montana SB314: Revise election laws to prohibit a political party from nominating a replacement candidate when the original candidate is found to be ineligible

What the bill says

A bill for an act entitled: "an act prohibiting a political party from nominating a replacement candidate when the original candidate is found to be ineligible; amending section 13-10-326, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROHIBITING A POLITICAL PARTY FROM NOMINATING A REPLACEMENT CANDIDATE WHEN THE ORIGINAL CANDIDATE IS FOUND TO BE INELIGIBLE; AMENDING SECTION 13-10-326, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Section 13-10-326, MCA, is amended to read: "13-10-326. Vacancy prior to primary election. (1) If a candidate for nomination for a partisan office dies or withdraws before the candidate filing deadline established in 13-10-201(7), the affected political party may appoint someone to replace the candidate by the procedure provided in 13-10-327. (2) Except as provided in subsection (3), if a candidate for nomination for a partisan office dies after the candidate filing deadline established in 13-10-201(7), or is disqualified pursuant to 13-37-126 from having the candidate's name appear on the primary election ballot, the affected political party shall appoint a candidate after the primary election as provided in 13-10-327 if a candidate for that office for that party was not nominated at the primary election. (3) A political party may not appoint a candidate for an office if a candidate is disqualified pursuant to Article IV, section 8, of the Montana constitution, if no candidate for nomination by that party filed for the office before the primary election, or if the …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Morigeau, Shane (D, 50) · primary sponsor
• Fyant, Shelly (D, 91)

Latest actions

1. May 23, 2025: (S) Died in Process
2. April 10, 2025: (H) Reconsidered Previous Action
3. April 10, 2025: (H) 2nd Reading
4. April 10, 2025: (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
5. March 28, 2025: (H) Committee Report
6. March 28, 2025: (H) Committee Executive Action
7. March 18, 2025: (H) Hearing
8. March 17, 2025: (H) 1st Reading
9. March 17, 2025: (H) Referred to Committee
10. March 7, 2025: (S) Transmitted to House

Votes

• ReconsAction - Fyant (April 10, 2025): 47 yea, 51 nay, failed
• Do Concur (April 10, 2025): 48 yea, 51 nay, failed
• Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 27 yea, 22 nay, passed
• Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 27 yea, 23 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB314?

SB314 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise election laws to prohibit a political party from nominating a replacement candidate when the original candidate is found to be ineligible.

What does SB314 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act prohibiting a political party from nominating a replacement candidate when the original candidate is found to be ineligible; amending section 13-10-326, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.".

What is the status of SB314?

Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Process (May 23, 2025).

Who sponsored SB314?

Morigeau, Shane (D, 50), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB314?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1798