HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R25-24RESOLUTION NO. 2.25-24
..RESOLUTION
ELECTORATE O
COUNTY#: OF LAURELS DESIRE
GENERALTO CONDUCT THE PRIMARY (IF HELD) AND THE
BALLOTELECTIONS BY MAIL -IN !
WHEREAS, voter turnout in City of Laurel municipal elections has historically been
low;
WHEREAS, Montana law provides a method for conducting mail -in ballot elections
for local elections. -
WHEREAS, mail -in ballot elections statistically increase voter turnout in elections;
WHEREAS, the Yellowstone County Election Administrator, K. V. "Ginger" Aldrich,
informed the City that the costs of conducting a mail -in ballot are less than the costs of
conducting a polling place election;
WHEREAS, mail -in ballot elections remove barriers that keep people from getting to
the polls, give people more time to study candidates and issues, and have built-in safeguards
that increase the integrity of the election process;
WHEREAS, the City may hold a Primary Election on September 9, 2025, as required
by Mont. Code Ann. § 13-1-104(2);
WHEREAS, Mont. Code Ann.§ 13-14-115(3) states a governing body may require that
a primary election be held if it passes a resolution not more than 10 days after the close of filing
by candidates for election stating that a primary election must be held;
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel will hold a General Election on November 4, 2025, as
required by Mont. Code Ann. § 13-1-104(3);
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel General Election will include the election of several
City Council Members;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 13-19-104, such elections can be
conducted by a mail -in ballot election and the Yellowstone County Election Administrator has
determined that a mail -in ballot election conducted in accordance with the provisions of Title
13, Chapter 19, Parts 1-3, MCA, is in the best interests of the City and the electors thereof, and
pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 13-19-202, the City of Laurel may notify the Yellowstone
County Election Administrator of its intent to conduct a mail -in ballot election;
R25-24 Approving 2025 Election
WHEREAS, the Election Administrator shall prepare a written plan, including a
timetable, for the conduct of the elections and shall submit it to the Secretary of State at least
60 days prior to the date set for the election in accordance with Mont. Code Ann. § 13-19-205;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 13-1-302, all costs of the regularly
scheduled primary and general elections shall be paid by the counties and other political
subdivisions for which the elections are held, and each political subdivision shall bear its
proportionate share of the costs as determined by the County governing body;
WHEREAS, the Office of the County Election Administrator will serve as the place of
deposit for ballots, and electors who wish to mark their ballot in -person may do so at the Office
of the County Election Administrator and deposit their ballot with the election officials at that
location;
WHEREAS, the Election Administrator will have an ADA accessible voter interface
device available for disabled electors to mark their ballot independently, privately, and securely
at the Office of the Colony Election Administrator; and
WHEREAS, for any election conducted by mail, ballots must be mailed no sooner than
the 20th day and no later than the 15th day before Election Day and all ballots must be mailed
the same day in accordance with Mont. Code Ann. § 13-19-207.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Laurel, Montana, as
follows:
1. Calling of the Election. The City Council hereby calls and directs an election for
the purpose of electing the following regularly elected officers:
- 4 (four) City Council Members of the City Council (4-year term)
- 1 Mayor (4-year term)
- 1 City Judge (4-year term)
2. Authorization of Election and Ballot. The City Council hereby requests the Election
Administrator to place the election of the aforementioned officers to the electors of
the City of Laurel.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT by the City Council of the City of Laurel, that
the City of Laurel hereby notifies the Yellowstone County Election Administrator of the City's
desire to conduct the 2025 City Primary (if held) and the 2025 General Election (including
election of City Council Members, the Mayor, and the City Judge) by mail -in ballot in
accordance with Mont. Code Ann.§ 13-19-202;
R25-24 Approving 2025 Election
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, except as provided in Mont. Code Ann.§ I3-
19-204, the decision to conduct an election under the provisions of Mont. Code Anna 13-19-
202 is within the sole discretion of the Election Administrator;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the City of Laurel Clerk -Treasurer is hereby
directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Yellowstone County Election
Administrator in accordance with the provisions of Mont. Code Anti. § 13-19-202; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, within five (5) days of receiving this request,
the Election Administrator shall respond to the Clerk -Treasurer in writing stating that this
request is either granted or denied for reasons specified, and if granted, the Election
Administrator shall prepare a plan as provided in Mont. Code Aim. § 13-19-205.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 8"' day of April 2025, by
Council Member Canape.
2025.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel the 8"' day of April
APPROVED by the Mayor the 8"' day of April 2025.
CITY OF LAUn
Dave Waggoner, May6i(
ATTEST:
e yf Sr"*r, Clerk -Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
( � s
Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
R225-24 Approving 2025 Election