Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 2. CREATION, ALTERATION, AND ABANDONMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Part 22. Creation of New Counties by Petition

Form Of Ballot

7-2-2218. Form of ballot. (1) If the proposed new county is to be formed from one county or from portions of two or more existing counties, the ballot must be in the following form:

(a) notice required by 7-2-2215 must require the electors to cast ballots that contain the words "For the new county of.... (giving the name of the proposed new county) -- Yes" and "For the new county of.... (giving the name of the proposed new county) -- No".

(b) The ballots must also contain the names of individuals to be voted for to fill the various elective offices designated in the notice.

(c) There must also be printed upon the ballot the words "For the county seat" and the names of all cities or towns that may have filed with the election administrator a petition, signed by at least 25 registered electors, nominating any city or town within the proposed new county for the county seat. The elector shall designate the elector's choice for county seat by marking a cross (X) opposite the name of the city or town for which the elector desires to cast a vote.

(2) If the proposed new county is to be an existing county enlarged by territory taken from one or more other counties, the notice required by 7-2-2215(1) must require the electors to cast ballots that must contain the legal description of the territory to be taken from the county in which the election is held, together with any name or names for the territory that may be in common use, and the words "For the territory described (or commonly known as....) to be detached from.... County and added to.... County -- Yes" and "For the territory described (or commonly known as....) to be detached from.... County and added to.... County -- No".

History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 226, L. 1919; re-en. Sec. 4394, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 4394, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 406, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 16-505(part); amd. Sec. 271, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 742, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 30, Ch. 42, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 128, L. 2011.