Commissioners deny ballot initiative

The Sanders County Commissioners last week denied a request to have voters decide on changing ballots in Sanders County elections.

On Thursday, Republican state Rep. Paul Fielder of Thompson Falls asked the Sanders County Commissioners to let voters decide whether they wanted candidates for local offices to designate a party for ballots.

"We all want the voters to have more info about candidates to have more information to vote," Fielder said, adding that the issue is something that he's been talking about for a couple of years. Fielder explained that the issue could be put on the 2024 general election ballot in November either through an ordinance by the commissioners, or through gathering signatures.

The action failed when Commissioner Dan Rowan made a motion to put the question on the ballot, but neither Tony Cox or John Holland would second the measure.

Fielder argued that having party affiliation indicated on a ballot would allow more transparent elections. "There's an opportunity for the commissioners to take the lead on this," he stressed. "This is not unique to Sanders County. Many counties in Montana have party affiliations on their ballots."

The request would have had voters vote yes or no on the ballots "for amending Sanders County's current form of government, requiring Candidate Transparent elections (political party identification for Sanders County elected officials) effective January 1, 2025."

Candidates for county elected positions used to designate their party affiliation and that information was placed on the ballot until 2010, when voters decided to have non-partisan elections. Fielder said that when that initiative was put on the 2010 ballot, commissioners voted to do so instead of requiring signatures to be gathered as they voted last week.

During public comment on the matter, Mark Sheets of Thompson Falls said he was against the idea of the commissioners deciding whether to put it on the ballot. He mentioned the potential local government review that, if Sanders County voters approve on the June primary ballot, would allow for a review and a recommendation on the question of partisan elections. "I urge you to vote against this and let it happen through the study commission," Sheets stated.

Dick Blizzard of Plains urged commissioners to vote for the ordinance. "It would be a good step toward transparency. You would know more what you're looking at and make an informed decision," he said of the potential ballot change.

Jim Elliott, a former legislature member from Trout Creek, said that a partisan system suppresses diversity of viewpoints. "Political parties are more interested in the party platform than the people. I believe independence of thought is very important. I like the nonpartisan election. I don't think it's wise to go back to partisan elections," he stated.

"Jim is right. Both parties like to purge people who don't fit the mold," responded newly appointed state Senator Greg Hinkle of Thompson Falls. "We gotta look at what's best for the people and let them decide. We have a responsibility to be totally transparent."

"We're just trying to get it on the ballot so citizens have a choice," Nancy Mehaffie said in supporting the measure.

Fielder mentioned that in statewide elections, it is required by law to list party affiliation. "The question is whether you will allow the citizens of Sanders County to be allowed to vote on the issues of transparency," he said before Rowan made the failed motion. "You can be the heroes or the citizens can be the heroes."