JOHNSON: CANDIDATE FILING OPENS

HELENA—Secretary of State Brad Johnson announced on January 22 that with the opening of the candidate filing season, his office would begin accepting candidate filings online for the first time in Montana history.

Johnson said, “We’re bringing this process into the twenty-first century. Online filing will make it easier and less expensive for Montanans to step forward and engage in public service.”

In the past, people who wanted to run for state office had to either mail it in or travel to Helena and file a declaration of candidacy in person. Now, candidates can file from home using the Internet.

Said Johnson, “It’s easier, it’s less expensive, and it encourages participation in our democratic process.”

The candidate filing period runs from Tuesday, January 22 through Thursday, March 20. Candidates for state office file their declarations of candidacy with the Secretary of State’s office. Candidates for county offices file with their county election administrator. The only statewide candidates not eligible for online filing are Presidential, write-in, indigent and independent candidates (those not affiliated with a political party).

Candidates who prefer to file in person can still do so. Information about the process can be obtained online at sos.mt.gov or by calling (406) 444-4732.

Online candidate filing is the result of an alliance between state government and the private sector.  The system was cooperatively developed and is supported by the office of Secretary of State Brad Johnson, the Montana Department of Administration's Information Technology Services Division and Montana Interactive, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment provider NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).

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