JOHNSON: PRIMARY NOT UNTIL JUNE

HELENA—Secretary of State Brad Johnson reminded Montana voters today that the Presidential primary election is not until June 3.

“Because the Republican Party is holding a caucus that’s completely independent of Montana’s Presidential preference primary, there’s a lot of confusion out there,” Johnson said. “Many national media outlets are reporting that we have a primary coming up next week, but that’s just not the case.”

Montana law requires that a Presidential preference primary be held every four years on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in June. This primary is for both major political parties and any minor parties that meet the requirements to participate.

This year, the Republican party chose to hold caucuses on February 5, which are completely separate from Montana’s primaries, and not organized by the state in any way.

“The Republican caucuses are one thing, Montana’s Presidential primary is a completely separate thing,” Johnson said. “The caucuses are purely in the domain of a political party, and the State of Montana is not involved.  Our primary election is in June.”

Although Republican party rules define specific qualifications to be eligible to vote in the caucuses, all Montana citizens who are registered as required by law are eligible to vote in the primary.

The Republican Primary in June will include a Presidential primary. Any candidate who chooses can file to be on the ballot in the primary, including Republican presidential candidates. Presidential candidates, in order to qualify for the ballot, must either gather 500 signatures or else be eligible for federal matching funds at the close of filing.

“No matter what you hear from CNN or CBS, our primary is in June,” Johnson concluded.

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