On Tuesday, November 25, the Commission will consider a resolution of intent to separate the roles and responsibilities of the election administrator from the office of the Clerk and Recorder.
The resolution of intent sets a public hearing for a decision on an item the commission is considering and gives notice so that the public can participate in the decision-making process. The Commission will make their final decision during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 9.
Montana law states the County Clerk & Recorder is the Election Administrator unless appointed by the County Commission. This appointment process is not part of the Gallatin County Government Study Commission.
Incumbent Clerk & Recorder Eric Semerad, who was elected in 2017, will present the resolution of intent to the board.
The resolution proposes to professionalize the position through a competitive hiring process based on qualifications and experience and would remove the requirement that the election administrator run for partisan office while ensuring the nonpartisan administration of elections. Increased county size and election complexity are among the additional reasons an appointed Election Administrator is being considered.
Among the top three Montana counties by population and number of registered voters, Gallatin is the only county that does not have an appointed election administrator. Both Missoula and Yellowstone counties employ full-time, appointed election administrators dedicated solely to running elections. Several other counties, including Cascade, Glacier, Big Horn, Lake, and Lincoln, have also appointed election administrators.
This resolution is a second attempt by an incumbent Gallatin Clerk and Recorder to separate the Election Administrator role from their elected office. In 2017, former Republican Clerk & Recorder Charlotte Mills also presented a similar resolution to Commissioners, which was unanimously denied.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend these public hearings to be held at 9 a.m. on November 25th and December 9th in the Community Room of the Gallatin County Courthouse. Hearings will be held in person, via Zoom and AV Capture. Public comment may be made in person, virtually or by emailing Commission@gallatin.mt.gov.