Why New Rule Removes Uncontested Races In Great Falls

Changes To The Municipal Positions On The 2025 General Election Ballot in Great Falls, Montana

The City of Great Falls has announced they're listing fewer municipal positions on the ballot for the November 4, 2025 election.

Why Are Some Great Falls Municipal Positions Being Removed From The Ballot?

There aren't actual 'races' in some neighborhood councils due to a lack of opposing candidates to the person already in that position.

Each 9 of the neighborhood councils in Great Falls have 5 positions available. Out of the 9 neighborhood councils, only Neighborhood Council #3 has more than 5 candidates.

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When that happens, Montana Code Annotated 2023 states:

(4) (a) Except as provided in subsection (4)(b), if by the write-in candidate deadline in subsection (3) the number of candidates is equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled at the election, the election administrator shall cancel the election and, pursuant to 13-1-304, immediately notify the governing body of the local government in writing of the cancellation. However, the governing body of the local government may by resolution require that the election be held.

What about the other neighborhood councils? How will they fill their seats? From the City of Great Falls

The candidates who filed for election for Councils identified above (1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9) have been elected by acclamation and will begin their term on January 1^st, 2026. Please visit the City Website to see the candidates who have been elected by acclamation.

There Are Several Municipal Races Left On The Ballot In Great Falls

Mayor
2 City Commissioners
Neighborhood Council #3
Municipal Court Judge - Department B position
Fireworks ban for city of Great Falls

It's now past the deadline for any write-on candidates to register. (See HB207) HB207 was passed this year to basically stop people who failed in primary elections from continuing to run as a write-on candidate.