Decide On When You Want To Hold The Election

According to MCA 22-1-702, the election can be held in conjunction with a regular or primary election or it can be conducted by mail ballot. General elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Primary elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June and September.

There are financial advantages to holding an election when other elections are taking place. MCA 13-1-302 gives counties the responsibility for carrying out and paying for the election to establish a library district. Holding an election can be expensive, so county officials may be more favorable to districting if the election is held in conjunction with other elections.

Other circumstances may affect the election date choice. Think carefully about the election date and do some research on the history of local elections. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Have there been election dates where bond issues or districting elections have been particularly successful or unsuccessful?
  • Are there dates when people are more or less likely to vote?
  • Are there other bond issues or controversial items planned for any particular date?

Choosing the election date is a critical decision, as it will drive your calendar, can affect the costs of districting, and will influence other decisions during this phase of the districting project.

It may also be advantageous to have a mail in election. The district may have to pay for part or all of this cost, but other districting efforts have been successful after going through the mail in ballot process.

ASPeN: The New Library Directory

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