OPTIONAL VOTING
AUTHORITY
It is the intent of the Montana Association of Counties
to seek legislation giving county commissioners the optional authority to
extend the vote in road levy elections to the owners of agricultural
property who do not reside in the district by adopting a resolution setting
forth the parameters of this voting privilege and conducting a hearing on
the question.
WHEREAS, many counties have significant numbers of owners of taxable real property who do not reside in that part of the county subject to the road levy; and
WHEREAS, they are currently excluded from voting on the question of raising taxes subject to MCA 15-10-420.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Montana Association of Counties will seek to add a provision to MCA Title
7, Chapter 14, Part 25 providing county commissioners the optional discretion
to adopt a resolution allowing for nonresident voting in questions of road
levies.
“Qualifications to vote on question of road levy. A Board of County Commissioners may adopt a resolution extending voting privileges to individuals otherwise disqualified from voting under the provision of MCA 13-1-111(1) (c).
The resolution of intent must be adopted by the Board stating their intent to authorize individuals who are the owners of such agricultural property and do not possess the qualifications required of an elector in 13-1-111(1)(c) since they do not actually reside in the district, may vote provided that such individuals are qualified if they are registered to vote in the state and they file proof of such registration with the election administrator.
The commissioners shall fix a time for a hearing on the resolution at not less than 2 or more than 4 weeks from the time of the adoption of the resolution.”
SPONSOR: Districts 6 and 7
RECOMMENDATION: Do Pass
PRIORITY: Medium
REFERRED TO: MACo Agriculture Committee, MACo Taxation, Finance
and Budget, MACo Transportation Committee, Clerk and Recorders Association
ADOPTED: