Montana elections, 2014
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Montana's 2014 elections U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Other executive offices • State Senate • State House • State ballot measures • School boards • Judicial • Candidate ballot access |
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2015 →
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The state of Montana held elections in 2014. Below are the dates of note:
| 2014 elections and events in Montana | ||||
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| Signature filing deadline for party candidates | March 10, 2014 
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| School board election (1) | May 6, 2014
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| Voter registration deadline for primary election | May 6, 2014 & same-day
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| Filing deadline for independent and minor party candidates | May 27, 2014
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| Primary election date | June 3, 2014
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| Petition drive deadline for ballot measures | June 20, 2014
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| Voter registration deadline for general election | October 5, 2014 & same-day
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| General election date | November 4, 2014
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| Statewide ballot measure election | November 4, 2014
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Below are the types of elections that were scheduled in Montana in 2014:
2014 elections
Races to watch in Montana
U.S. Congress
The retirement of Sen. Max Baucus gave Republicans a chance for a seat pickup in 2014. However, the announcement that Baucus would not complete his term because of an Obama administration appointment meant that the Democratic governor would have the chance to appoint a Democrat to finish the remainder of the term. Despite this advantage, Republican frontrunner Rep. Steve Daines had notable name recognition and fundraising capabilities and won the election on November 4.
Montana State Legislature
Elections for the Montana State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for major party candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file. Heading into the election, the Republican Party controlled the chamber. The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6, 2012, general election.
| 2012 Margin of Victory, Montana State Senate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Winner | Margin of Victory | Total Votes | Top Opponent |
| District 10 |  Brad Hamlett |
2.1% | 7,985 | Wendy McKamey |
| District 27 |  Elsie Arntzen |
2.8% | 6,639 | Gary Branae |
| District 24 | Roger Webb |
3.1% | 9,015 | Wanda Grinde |
| District 17 | Greg Jergeson |
6% | 7,214 | Don Richman |
| District 2 | Dee Brown |
6.7% | 9,796 | David Fern |
| District 6 | Janna Taylor |
14.1% | 9,780 | Nancy Lindsey |
| District 43 | Gene Vuckovich |
15.1% | 7,536 | Jonathan Arnold |
| District 26 | Robyn Driscoll |
17.3% | 6,271 | Malcolm Long |
| District 37 | Jon Sesso |
19% | 9,108 | Daniel O'Neill |
| District 46 | Sue Malek |
19.7% | 9,914 | Kevin Blackler |
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file. Heading into the election, the Republican Party controlled the chamber. The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6, 2012, general election.
| 2012 Margin of Victory, Montana House of Representatives | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Winner | Margin of Victory | Total Votes | Top Opponent |
| District 91 | David Moore |
1% | 4,509 | Chuck Erickson |
| District 25 | Tom Jacobson |
1.5% | 5,068 | Cleve Loney |
| District 63 | Franke Wilmer |
2% | 6,992 | Tom Burnett |
| District 59 | Joanne Blyton |
2.9% | 5,177 | Paul Beck |
| District 20 | Steve Fitzpatrick |
3.2% | 3,425 | Lindsay Love |
| District 85 | Gordon Pierson, Jr. |
3.6% | 3,036 | John Perkins |
| District 78 | Steve Gibson |
4.4% | 4,427 | Joe Cohenour |
| District 53 | Dave Hagstrom |
5.9% | 3,446 | Joseph Sands |
| District 22 | Casey Schreiner |
7.3% | 3,053 | George Paul |
| District 3 | Jerry O'Neil |
7.4% | 4,564 | Zac Perry |
Elections by type
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate elections in Montana
Voters in Montana elected one member to the U.S. Senate in the election on November 4, 2014.
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
|---|---|---|
Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Montana utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[1][2]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by May 6, 2014. However, if the deadline was missed, late registration was available at county election offices up until close of polls on election day. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 5, 2014 (30 days before election day).[3]
- See also: Montana elections, 2014
Incumbent: Incumbent John Walsh (D) was appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock on February 7, 2014, to fill the Senate seat of Max Baucus after Baucus was confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to China on February 6, 2014.
Candidates
Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 10, 2014.
General election candidates
** Incumbent John Walsh (D) dropped out of the race after reports surfaced that he plagiarized large portions of his final thesis for the United States Army War College. The Democratic Party had until August 20, 2014, to choose a new candidate for the general election.[4] On August 16, the party held a convention in Helena where delegates chose Amanda Curtis as their new nominee.[5]
June 3, 2014, primary results
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Libertarian Primary
Withdrew from race
Declined to run
- Brian Schweitzer, a former Governor of Montana
- Denise Juneau, the Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emily’s List
- Monica Lindeen, the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance
- John Lewis, former aide to Democratic Senator Max Baucus
- Brian Morris, state Supreme Court Justice
- Kendall Van Dyk, state senator[11]
Race ratings
Washington Post top 10 races
According to an analysis by The Washington Post, the U.S. Senate election in Montana was considered one of the top 10 Senate races of 2014. When Rep. Daines entered the race in late 2013, Republicans had a clear candidate to run for the open seat against Sen. John Walsh[12]
U.S. House
U.S. House of Representatives elections in Montana
The 2014 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Montana took place on November 4, 2014. Voters elected one candidate to serve in the U.S. House from the state's At-Large Congressional District.
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
|---|---|---|
Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Montana utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[13][14]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by May 6, 2014. However, if the deadline was missed, late registration was available at county election offices up until close of polls on election day. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 5, 2014 (30 days before election day).[3]
- See also: Montana elections, 2014
Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was Steve Daines (R), who was first elected in 2012. Daines won election to the U.S. Senate in 2014.
Montana has a single at-large congressional district, which makes up the entire state.
Race background
In the 2012 election Steve Daines secured election by a 10.5 percent margin of victory. In 2012, the incumbent, Denny Rehberg chose not to run for re-election so that he could compete for the U.S. Senate seat up for election. As a result, Steve Daines and Kim Gillan ran against each for the open seat. The district was listed in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue List," which identified districts that the organization had specifically targeted to flip from Republican to Democratic control.[15] Daines was able to outspend his opponent, Kim Gillan, spending $2,021,596, close to twice the $991,016 that Gillan spent.[16]
Partisan breakdown
Heading into the November 4 election, the Republican Party held the one congressional seat from Montana.
| Members of the U.S. House from Montana -- Partisan Breakdown | |||
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| Party | As of November 2014 | After the 2014 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 0 | 0 | |
| Republican Party | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 1 | 1 | |
List of candidates
- Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 10, 2014.
General election candidates
June 3, 2014, primary results
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Libertarian Primary
Declined to run
- Stephanie Schriock: President of EMILY's List[18]
- Denny Rehberg[19]
State Executives
State executive official elections in Montana
Two down ballot state executive positions were up for election in the state of Montana in 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014.
| Office | Incumbent | Assumed Office | Incumbent running? | General Election Candidates | 2015 Winner | Partisan Switch? |
| Public Service Commission | Travis Kavulla  |
2010 | Yes | Travis Kavulla |
Travis Kavulla |
No |
| Public Service Commission | Bill Gallagher  |
2011 | No | Brad Johnson Galen Hollenbaugh |
Brad Johnson |
No |
Public Service Commission
- Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 10, 2014.
Current incumbents
Public Service Commissioner #1
Incumbent
- Travis Kavulla Running[20]
Public Service Commissioner #5
Incumbent
- Bill Gallagher Not running[20]
Candidates
State Senate
State Senate election in Montana
Elections for the Montana State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for major party candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file.
Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 4 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Montana State Senate:
| Montana State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2014 | After November 4, 2014 | |
| Democratic Party | 21 | 21 | |
| Republican Party | 29 | 29 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
List of candidates by district
- Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 10, 2014.
District 1 • District 4 • District 5 • District 8 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 17 • District 20 • District 23 • District 25 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 35 • District 39 • District 40 • District 42 • District 44 • District 48 • District 49
State House
State House elections in Montana
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file.
Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 4 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Montana House of Representatives:
| Montana House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2014 | After November 4, 2014 | |
| Democratic Party | 39 | 41 | |
| Republican Party | 61 | 59 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
List of candidates by district
- Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 10, 2014.
District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 39 • District 40 • District 41 • District 42 • District 43 • District 44 • District 45 • District 46 • District 47 • District 48 • District 49 • District 50 • District 51 • District 52 • District 53 • District 54 • District 55 • District 56 • District 57 • District 58 • District 59 • District 60 • District 61 • District 62 • District 63 • District 64 • District 65 • District 66 • District 67 • District 68 • District 69 • District 70 • District 71 • District 72 • District 73 • District 74 • District 75 • District 76 • District 77 • District 78 • District 79 • District 80 • District 81 • District 82 • District 83 • District 84 • District 85 • District 86 • District 87 • District 88 • District 89 • District 90 • District 91 • District 92 • District 93 • District 94 • District 95 • District 96 • District 97 • District 98 • District 99 • District 100
Statewide ballot measures
Statewide ballot measure elections in Montana
- See also: Montana 2014 ballot measures and 2014 ballot measures
Two ballot measures were certified for the 2014 ballot in the state of Montana.
On the ballot
November 4:
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | C-45 | Admin of Gov't | Renames the position of state auditor to commissioner of securities and insurance | 
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| LRSS | LR-126 | Suffrage | Closes late voter registration the Friday before election day |
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School boards
School board elections in Montana
In 2014, 670 of America's largest school districts held elections for 2,188 seats. These elections took place in 37 states.
State elections
A total of one Montana school district among America's largest school districts by enrollment held an election in 2014 for three seats. Billings Public Schools held its election on May 6, 2014.
Here are several quick facts about Montana's school board elections in 2014:
- An average of 1.67 candidates ran for each board seat up for election to the Billings Public Schools Board of Education, which was lower than the national average of 1.89 candidates per seat.
- One-third of the school board seats on the ballot in 2014 were unopposed. This was a slightly higher percentage than the 32.57 percent of school board seats that were unopposed nationally.
- Only one of the three incumbents whose seats were on the ballot ran for re-election in 2014. Nationally 75.56 percent of school board incumbents sought another term.
- Two newcomers were elected to school boards in Montana. They took two-thirds of the total seats in 2014, which was higher than the 38.19 percent of school board seats that went to newcomers nationally.
The district listed below served 10,562 K-12 students during the 2010-2011 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.[21] Click on the district name for more information on the district and its school board election.
| 2014 Montana School Board Elections | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Date | Seats up for election | Total board seats | Student enrollment |
| Billings Public Schools | 5/6/2014 | 3 | 9 | 10,562 |
Voting in Montana
- See also: Voting in Montana
Important voting information
- A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Montana utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[22][23]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
- Montana does not permit online voter registration.
Voting absentee
- See also: Absentee voting by state
For information about eligibility, deadlines, military and overseas voting and updates to the voting laws in Montana, please visit our absentee voting by state page.
Voting early
- See also: Early voting
Montana is one of 33 states (plus the District of Columbia) that permit some form of early voting. Early voting begins as soon as ballots are made available and ends on the day prior to Election Day.[24]
Elections Performance Index
Montana ranked 10th out of the 50 states and District of Columbia in the Pew Charitable Trusts' Elections Performance Index (EPI), based on the 2012 elections. The EPI examined election administration performance and assigned an average percentage score based on 17 indicators of election performance. These indicators were chosen in order to determine both the convenience and integrity of these three phases of an election: registration, voting and counting. Montana received an overall score of 70 percent.[25]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures,"State Primary Election Types," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ Christi Jacobsen Montana Secretary of State,"Frequently Asked Questions," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Montana Secretary of State Website, "Montana Voter Information," accessed January 3, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "John Walsh just dropped out of Montana’s Senate race. Now what?" accessed August 7, 2014
- ↑ Missoulian, "Amanda Curtis wins Montana Democratic nomination to U.S. Senate," accessed August 16, 2014
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedpolitico - ↑ Politico, "Democrat Walsh files for Senate in Montana," accessed October 9, 2013
- ↑ Missoulian.com, "Bohlinger criticizes Baucus, Tester for early backing of Walsh in U.S. Senate race," accessed November 12, 2013
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Wilsall rancher/political unknown says he’s running as Democrat for Baucus’ Senate seat," accessed August 16, 2013
- ↑ News Talk KGVO, "Sam Rankin Quits Independent U.S. Senate Bid, Supports John Bohlinger," accessed October 2, 2014
- ↑ Washington Post, "Another Democrat passes on Montana Senate race," accessed August 6, 2013
- ↑ The Washington Post, "The Fix’s top 10 Senate races of 2014," accessed December 10, 2013
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures,"State Primary Election Types," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ Christi Jacobsen Montana Secretary of State,"Frequently Asked Questions," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ DCCC, "Red to Blue 2012"
- ↑ Open Secrets, "2012 Race: Montana District 01," accessed March 2013
- ↑ Washington Post, "Former Baucus state director files paperwork for House race," accessed August 26, 2013
- ↑ USA Today, "EMILY's List president not running for Senate," accessed July 31, 2013
- ↑ The Hill, "Rehberg eyes bid for former House seat," accessed January 3, 2014
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Montana Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing," accessed March 11, 2014
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed March 21, 2014
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures,"State Primary Election Types," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ Christi Jacobsen Montana Secretary of State,"Frequently Asked Questions," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑ Pew Charitable Trusts, "Election Performance Index Report," accessed April 23, 2014
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