Montana Delegate Selection Plan

Montana Delegate
Selection Plan
For the 2016 Democratic
National Convention
Issued by the
Montana Democratic Party
March 2015
Updated 10/15/2015
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The Montana Delegate Selection Plan
For the 2012 Democratic National Convention
Table of Contents
I. Introduction & Description of Delegate Selection Process ................................................................... 3
A. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3
B. Description of Delegate Selection Process ....................................................................................... 3
II. Presidential Candidates ........................................................................................................................ 5
A. Ballot Access .................................................................................................................................... 5
III. Selection of Delegates and Alternates ................................................................................................. 6
A. District-Level Delegates................................................................................................................... 6
B. Unpledged Delegates .......................................................................................................................11
C. Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates ...................................................... 12
D. At-Large Delegates and Alternates ................................................................................................. 13
E. Replacement of Delegates and Alternates ...................................................................................... 15
IV. Convention Standing Committee Members ...................................................................................... 18
A. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 18
B. Standing Committee Members ....................................................................................................... 18
V. The Delegation.................................................................................................................................... 20
A. Delegation Chair and Pages. ......................................................................................................... 20
B. Delegation Chair............................................................................................................................. 20
C. Convention Pages ........................................................................................................................... 20
VI. General Provisions and Procedural Guarantees ................................................................................ 21
VII. Affirmative Action, Outreach .......................................................................................................... 23
A. Statement of Purpose and Organization ......................................................................................... 23
B. Efforts to Educate on the Delegate Selection Process .................................................................... 24
C. Efforts to Publicize the Delegate Selection Process ....................................................................... 25
D. Representation Goals ..................................................................................................................... 26
E. Obligations of Presidential Candidates to Maximize Participation ................................................ 27
VIII. Challenges ...................................................................................................................................... 28
A. Jurisdiction & Standing .................................................................................................................. 28
B. Challenges to the Status of the State Party and Challenges to the Plan ......................................... 28
C. Challenges to Implementation ........................................................................................................ 29
IX. Summary of Plan .............................................................................................................................. 30
A. Selection of Delegates and Alternates ............................................................................................ 30
B. Selection of Standing Committee Members (For the Credentials, Platform, Rules Committees) . 31
C. Selection of Delegation Chair and Convention Pages .................................................................... 31
D. Presidential Candidate Filing Deadline .......................................................................................... 32
E. Timetable ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Exhibits to the Affirmative Action Plan .................................................................................................. 35
A. Members of the Affirmative Action Committee ............................................................................ 36
B. Media Outlets to be Contacted Regarding the Delegate Selection Process ................................... 36
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Section I
Introduction & Description of Delegate Selection Process
A. Introduction
1. Montana has a total of 27 delegates and 2 alternates. (Call I & Appendix B).
The 27 delegate breakdowns as
follows; 15 District-Level delegates, 4 at-large delegates, 2 PLEO delegates and 6 unpledged delegates.
2. The delegate selection process is governed by the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic
Party of the United States, the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2016 Democratic National
Convention (“Rules”), the Call for the 2016 Democratic National Convention (“Call”), the
Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention
(“Regs.”), the rules of the Democratic Party of Montana, the Montana election code, and this
Delegate Selection Plan. (Call II.A)
3. Following the adoption of this Delegate Selection Plan by the State Party Committee, it shall
be submitted for review and approval by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (“RBC”). The
State Party Chair shall be empowered to make any technical revisions to this document as
required by the RBC to correct any omissions and/or deficiencies as found by the RBC to
ensure its full compliance with Party Rules. Such corrections shall be made by the State Party
Chair and the Plan resubmitted to the RBC within 30 days of receipt of notice of the RBC’s
findings. (Regs. 2.5, 2.6 & 2.7)
4. Once this Plan has been found in Compliance by the RBC, any amendment to the Plan by the
State Party will be submitted to and approved by the RBC before it becomes effective. (Reg. 2.9)
B. Description of Delegate Selection Process
1. Montana will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the primary for
apportioning delegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention. The two Montana
Democratic Party Executive Board districts described in the Rules of the Montana Democratic
Party (Preamble, Section B5) will be recognized as the districts used for delegate selection, and
delegates will be allocated accordingly.
Western District: Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Glacier, Granite,
Jefferson, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Powell,
Ravalli, Sanders and Silver Bow Counties
Eastern District: Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels,
Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Gallatin, Garfield, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Liberty,
McCone, Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie,
Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole,
Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux and Yellowstone Counties
2. The “first determining step” of Montana’s delegate selection process will occur on June 7th,
2016 with a primary election. In accordance with 13-15-502 MCA, the Board of State
Canvassers will certify the results of the primary within 27 days after the election. Montana’s
June 7th primary election will coincide with a regional cluster consisting of Montana, North
Dakota and South Dakota. Montana’s Primary election includes Presidential, Gubernatorial,
Congressional, and other Statewide, Legislative, and County Partisan offices.
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3. Voter Participation in Process
a. Participation in Montana delegate selection process is open to all voters who wish to
participate as Democrats. The Montana Democratic Party will publicize the delegate
selection process on the Party website and in local newspapers across the state to
encourage and improve participation in the delegate selection process.
b. Currently, Montana law allows that regular registration closes 30 days before any
election. Late registration begins the next day, and ends at the close of polls on
Election Day (except from noon until 5:00 P.M. on the day before Election Day).
Late registration can only be done at the county election administrator’s office.
c. At no stage of the Montana delegate selection process shall any person be required,
directly or indirectly, to pay a cost or fee as a condition for participating. Voluntary
contributions to the Party may be made, but under no circumstances shall a
contribution be mandatory for participation. (Rule 2.D & Reg. 4.4)
d. An individual participating in the Delegate selection process will publicly declare
their party Preference by filing a Democratic Affirmation Statement with the county
chairperson of the county in which they are registered to vote.
e. No person shall participate or vote in the nominating process for the Democratic
presidential candidate who also participates in the nominating process of any other
party for the corresponding elections. (Rule 2.E)
f. No person shall vote in more than one meeting which is the first meeting in the
delegate selection process. (Rule 3.E & Reg. 4.6)
4. Montana is participating in the state government-run presidential preference primary that will
utilize government-run voting systems. All federal, state and county primary elections are held
in conjunction with the presidential preference primary. The State Party has taken provable
positive steps to:
a. Promote the acquisition, maintenance and regular replacement of accessible precinct
based optical scan systems, wherever possible. (Rule 2.H.1)
b. Seek enactment of legislation, rules, and policies at the state and local level to ensure
that direct recording electronic systems include a voter verified paper trail. (Rule 2.H.2)
c. Seek enactment of legislation, rules and policies at the state and local level to ensure
that both optical scan and direct recording electronic systems include recognized
security measures. These measures include automatic routine manual audits
comparing paper records to electronic records following every election and prior to
certification or results where possible; parallel testing on election day; physical and
electronic security for equipment; banning use of wireless components and
connections except where required to provide a voter with a disability a secure and
approved means to access voting material and exercise the right to vote; public
disclosure of software design; use of transparent and random selection for all
auditing procedures; and effective procedures for addressing evidence of fraud or
error. (Rule 2.H.3)
5. Scheduling of Delegate Selection Meetings
a. The dates, times and places for all official Party meetings and events related to the
Montana delegate selection process have been scheduled to encourage the
participation of all Democrats. Such meetings will begin and end at reasonable
hours. (Rule 3.A & Reg. 4.5)
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Section II
Presidential Candidates
A. Ballot Access
1. In accordance with 13-10-404 MCA, before an individual intending to qualify as a
presidential candidate may qualify for placement on the ballots, the individual shall qualify by
one or more of the following two methods:
a. The individual has submitted a declaration for nomination to the Secretary of State
by March 14th pursuant to 13-10-201(2) MCA and has been nominated on petitions
(available at the Secretary of State’s office or State Party Headquarters) with the
verified signatures of at least 500 qualified electors from the State of Montana.
i. Petitions of nomination for the presidential preference primary election
and the affidavits of circulation required must be presented to the election
administrator of the county in which the signatures are gathered at least one
week before the primary election filing deadline prescribed in 13-10201(7)(b) MCA. For 2016, the deadline to submit petitions to the county
election administrator is March 7th, 2016. A filing fee is not required. The
election administrator shall verify the signatures in the manner prescribed
in 13-27-303 through 13-27-308 MCA and must forward the petitions to
the Secretary of State.
b. The individual has submitted a declaration for nomination to the Secretary of State
by March 14th pursuant to 13-10-201(2) MCA, and the Secretary of State has
determined, by the time that declarations for nomination are to be filed, that the
individual is eligible to receive payments pursuant to the federal Presidential Primary
Matching Payment Account Act, 26 U.S.C. 9031, et seq.
2. Other Information
a. “Uncommitted” does not automatically appear on the Montana Primary Election
ballot, however, ballots include “no preference” and a blank write-in space as
described in 13-10-403 MCA.
b. The Secretary of State’s Contact information is as below:
 Mail: Secretary of State Linda McCulloch, P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT
59620
 Fax: (406) 444-3976
 Phone: (406) 444-2034
3. Other Requirements
a. Each presidential candidate shall certify in writing to the State Democratic Party
Chair, the name(s) of his or her authorized representative(s) by March 25th, 2016. (Rule
12.D.1)
b. Each presidential candidate shall use his or her best efforts to ensure that his or her
respective delegation within the state delegation achieves the affirmative action goals
established by this Plan and is equally divided between men and women. (Rule 6.I)
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Section III
Selection of Delegates and Alternates
A. District-Level Delegates
1. Montana is allocated 15 district-level delegates and 0 district-level alternates. (Rule 8.C, Call I.B,
I.I, Appendix B & Reg. 4.31.)
2. District-level delegates shall be elected by a Presidential preference primary on June 7th,
2016 followed by a post-primary caucus held on June 11th, 2016, at a location to be determined.
3. Apportionment of District-Level Delegates and Alternates
a. Pursuant to Reg. 4.31, Montana has chosen to allocate all of its at-large alternates at
the at-large level.
b. Montana’s district-level delegates are apportioned among the districts based on a
formula giving equal weight to the vote for the Democratic candidates in the 2012
presidential and gubernatorial elections. Montana does not have Party registration
which makes the two formulas utilizing Party registration impossible. (Rule 8.A.2)
c. The state’s total number of district-level delegates will be equally divided between
men and women. For an odd total number of district-level delegates, the overall
variance between men and women cannot exceed one. (Rule 6.C.1 & Reg. 4.8)
d. The district-level delegates and alternates are apportioned to districts as indicated in
the following table:
District
Males
Western District
Eastern District
Total
Delegates
Females
Total
4
4
3
4
7
8
Males
8
7
15
Alternates
Females
Total
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
e. The apportionment of delegates to be elected from each tier to the next tier (e.g., precincts,
counties, etc.) shall be based on a formula giving equal weight to the vote for the Democratic
candidates in the 2012 presidential and gubernatorial elections. (Rule 8.B)
4. District-Level Delegate Filing Requirements
a. A district-level delegate candidate may run for election only within the district in
which he or she is registered to vote. (Rule 12.H)
b. An individual can qualify as a candidate for district-level delegate to the 2016
Democratic National Convention by filing a statement of candidacy designating his
or her singular presidential (or uncommitted) preference and a signed pledge of
support for the presidential candidate (including uncommitted status) with the
Montana Democratic Party at Party Headquarters (303 N. Ewing, Helena, Montana
59601) or by Fax (406-442-9534) by 5:00 P.M. on June 10th, 2016. A delegate candidate
may modify his or her singular presidential preference by submitting an updated
pledge of support no later than the June 10th filing deadline (Rules 12.B, Rule 14.F & Reg. 4.21)
5. Presidential Candidate Right of Review for District-Level Delegates
a. The Montana Democratic Party Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or
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b.
c.
d.
e.
that candidate’s authorized representative(s), not later than June 10th, 2016 at 6:00
P.M., a list of all persons who have filed for delegate pledged to that presidential
candidate. (Rules 12.D.& 12.F)
Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must
then file with the Montana Democratic Party Chair by June 10th, 2016 at 8:00 P.M. a
list of all such candidates he or she has approved, provided that approval be given to
at least three (3) times the number of candidates for delegate men and three (3) times
the number of candidates for delegate women to be selected. (Rule 12.E.1 & Reg. 4.24)
i. Contact information for the Montana Democratic Party Chair for this
purpose is as follows:

Fax: (406) 442-9534

Phone: (406) 442-9520

Email: chair@montanademocrats.org
Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate and alternate candidates
submitted to the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate, or the
authorized representative(s), signifies otherwise in writing to the State Democratic
Chair not later than June 10th, 2016 at 8:00 P.M.
National convention delegate candidates removed from the list of bona fide
supporters by a presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized
representative(s), may not be elected as a delegate at that level pledged to that
presidential candidate (including uncommitted status). (Rule 12.E & Reg. 4.24)
The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC
Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate (including
uncommitted status) has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective districtlevel delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations
and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3)
business days of returning the list of approved district-level delegate candidates as
indicated in Section III.A.5.b of this Plan.
6. Fair Reflection of Presidential Preference
a. Presidential Primary - Proportional Representation Plan (Rules 13.A, 13.B & 13.D)
The Montana presidential primary election is a “binding” primary. Accordingly,
delegate positions shall be allocated so as to fairly reflect the expressed presidential
(or uncommitted) preference of the primary voters in each district. The National
Convention delegates selected at the district level shall be allocated in proportion to
the percentage of the primary vote won in that district by each preference, except
that preferences falling below a 15% threshold shall not be awarded any delegates.
b. Within a district, if no presidential preference reaches a 15% threshold, the threshold
shall be the percentage of the vote received in that district by the front-runner minus
10%. (Rule 13.F)
c. County and District-Level Delegate Selection
The County-Level Delegate Selection Plan for Montana provides for allocation of
delegate positions to presidential preferences through a primary/convention system.
Following the primary election, supporters of candidates receiving sufficient votes to
qualify for delegates to the national convention will gather in county conventions on
June 9th, 2016, to choose delegates to the state convention. Each county will have a
set number of delegates previously determined by the State Chair. The state
convention will be held on June 11th, 2016, at a location to be determined.
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The number of delegates to be elected from each county shall be determined by the
State Chair and apportioned on the basis of a formula giving equal weight to the vote
for the Democratic candidates in the 2012 Presidential and Gubernatorial elections.
The county with the least delegates according to this formula shall be entitled to a
minimum of one (1) delegate for each presidential candidate receiving 15% or more
of the votes cast in that county in the presidential primary election. Counties with
proportionally more delegates according to the formula shall be entitled to
proportionally larger delegations, up to a maximum of 30 delegates from any one
county.
The county conventions will be held in the county seat at a public place which would
be most likely to encourage the participation of all Democrats, shall begin at a
reasonable hour and shall be run by the county chair in accordance with state party
rules.
No person shall participate in more than one county convention. Each person may
vote for delegates supporting only one presidential candidate.
The procedure for selecting delegates to the District and State Conventions shall be
as follows:
i. Any registered voter having publicly declared to be a Democrat from the
county may participate in the county convention if he or she has filed with
the County Democratic Central Committee by at least the opening of the
convention on forms designated by the State Chair. Such forms shall
include a statement of support for the candidate of his or her choice and a
public affirmation of their Democratic affiliation.
ii. The county chair will designate appropriate areas of the convention
facility as sites for the caucuses of the supporters of the respective
presidential candidates, as well as a nominating caucus identified as “nopreference,” providing each has met the threshold set for that county. He or
she will announce the amount of time allowed for caucusing and will
insure that all caucuses will be held simultaneously. The county chair may
appoint a temporary chair for each caucus.
iii. Caucuses for each presidential candidate will be held to elect district and
state delegates and alternates. No caucus will be held for any presidential
candidate who has not earned at least one delegate from Montana. Any
Democratic resident of the county who is a qualified voter and has
completed the forms prescribed in Section III.A.6.C(i), may be elected as a
delegate to the District and State Conventions. Each caucus will elect the
number of state delegates and alternates allowed to it as determined by the
share of votes received in the county by its presidential candidate, and as
announced after the primary election by the State Chair. Following
nominations, the caucus chair will present to the caucus the list of
nominees (ballot should be used) and announce the number of delegates to
be elected from the list. The caucus chair and secretary or a committee
appointed by them will tabulate the election results. Beginning with the
person receiving the highest number of votes and proceeding to the person
with the next highest total, the chair and secretary will certify the election
as state delegates of that number of people allowed to this particular
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presidential candidate. Proceeding in a like manner, the chair and secretary
will certify an equal number of people elected as alternates for this
presidential candidate.
iv. The election of delegates and alternates having been completed, the
caucus chair will then present the list of state delegates and alternates to the
county chair. A tie for the last delegate position will be broken by a run-off
election between/among those who tied.
v. The county caucus having completed its work, the county chair and
secretary will sign certificates of election for all delegates and alternates.
(These certificates will be provided by the State Chair and will include a
statement of support for their candidate.) After verifying that the proper
number of delegates and alternates have been elected and that the
presidential preference of each is clearly stated, the county chair shall
immediately forward the certificates to the Montana Democratic Party.
vi. Should any delegate elected to the District or State Presidential Delegate
Conventions be unable to attend, he or she may designate an elected
alternate from the same caucus to attend in his or her place by submitting
the name of such alternate in writing to the State Chair. In the absence of
such designation, the alternate from the caucus who received the most
votes shall attend. In the event there is no alternate, the State Chair may
select one upon consultation with the candidate’s agent.
7. Equal Division of District-Level Delegates
a. In order to ensure the district-level delegates are equally divided between men and
women, delegate positions within each district will be designated by presidential
preference beginning with the highest vote-getting presidential preference. This
assignment of delegate positions, alternating by sex as mathematically practicable,
will continue with the next highest vote-getting preferences in descending order until
the gender of each position has been assigned. (Rule 6.C.1 & Reg. 4.8)
b. The delegate positions shall be pre-designated so that the gender of the first position
to be filled by the winning presidential candidate is pre-determined as female
because Montana’s unpledged delegates include 4 males and 2 females. Once the
allocation of district delegates among presidential preference(s) has been calculated,
the remaining delegate positions can be assigned to the presidential preference(s), in
order of vote won, alternating by gender.
c. The 15 delegates and 0 alternates are apportioned to districts as follows:
Western District - 8 delegates, 0 alternates
Eastern District - 7 delegates, 0 alternates
d. The above apportionment is based on a formula giving equal weight to the vote for
the Democratic candidates in the 2012 presidential and gubernatorial elections.
e. The Montana primary election is a “binding” primary.
f. Accordingly, delegate positions shall be allocated so as to fairly reflect the expressed
presidential or uncommitted status of the primary voters in each district. Therefore,
the national convention delegates elected at the district level shall be allocated in
proportion to the percentage of the primary vote won in that district by each
preference, except that preference falling below a 15% threshold shall not be
awarded any delegates or alternates.
g. If no presidential preference reaches a 15% threshold, the threshold shall be the
percentage of the vote received at each level of the delegate selection process by the
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front-runner minus 10%.
h. The procedure for electing district-level delegates to the Democratic National
Convention is as follows:
i. The State Chair will call to order the state convention and announce the
number of delegates and alternates to be selected favoring each presidential
candidate from each district as determined by the primary election. The
State Chair shall appoint a chair and secretary and said officers shall
assume the operation of the convention.
ii. The convention chair will designate appropriate areas of the convention
facility as sites for the simultaneous caucuses of the supporters of the
respective presidential candidates, as well as a caucus identified as “nopreference” (if “no preference” has qualified in the primary for an
allocation of delegates). He or she will announce the amount of time
allowed in caucusing and will insure that all caucuses will be held
simultaneously.
iii. Each delegate will attend the district caucus of the presidential candidate
he or she was elected to represent. No delegate may participate in more
than one caucus and no one other than a delegate or a seated alternate may
nominate or vote in the caucus proceedings. The State Chair may appoint a
temporary chair for each caucus. The agenda for each caucus will include
selection of a permanent chair, nominations for national delegates and
elections of delegates and alternates as applicable. Each caucus will
proceed to elect the number of national delegates to which it is entitled, as
announced by the State Chair.
iv. In all matters put to a vote before the caucus, each delegate will cast one
vote.. Each ballot shall bear the name or identification code of the person
casting it.
v. Candidates receiving the most votes will be elected until the proper
number of delegates are selected. The caucus chair shall sign certificates of
election (provided by the State Chair) for the number of delegates allotted
to his or her caucus. The candidates for delegate who received the highest
number of votes after the last certified delegate shall be certified as
alternate delegates from that caucus, until the number of alternate positions
for each caucus, as determined by the State Chair, have been filled. A tie
for the last delegate position will be broken by a run-off election
between/among those who tied.
vi. After the election of delegates and any other business brought before the
caucus, the caucus chair will adjourn the caucus and direct the caucus
participants to return to the state convention.
vii. All delegates elected as a “no-preference” delegate shall attend the “nopreference” caucus. Each shall cast a number of votes equal to the number
of “no-preference” votes cast in the primary in his or her county, divided
by the number of delegates allotted to his or her county for “nopreference.” Those present will elect a number of delegates to the national
convention as announced by the State Chair and in the same manner as
other caucuses. Any Democrat may be elected as a delegate from the “nopreference” caucus so long as he or she is a resident of Montana and has
not been nominated for national delegate by, nor participated in, any other
caucus at the state convention. A candidate for delegate from this caucus
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must announce at the time of his or her nomination his or her “nopreference” status.
viii. Each caucus chair shall clearly indicate on the certificate of election the
presidential preference of any elected delegate and alternate.
ix. All caucuses having completed their work, the convention chair will
accept all certificates of election as delegates or alternates from the various
caucus chairs. After verifying that the proper number of delegates and
alternates have been elected, and that the presidential preference of each is
clearly stated, the convention chair shall also sign all certificates of election
and immediately deliver them to the State Party Chair. The convention
chair shall then direct the delegates to convene at the state convention for
such business as may be properly brought before it.
8. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic
National Committee (DNC) the election of the state’s district-level delegates and alternates to
the Democratic National Convention within ten (10) days after their election. (Rule 8.C & Call IV.A)
B. Unpledged Delegates
1. Unpledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials
a. The following categories (if applicable) shall constitute the Unpledged Party Leaders
and Elected Official delegate positions:
i. Members of the Democratic National Committee who legally reside in the
state; (Rule 9.A.1, Call I.F, Call I.J, & Reg. 4.13)
ii. Democratic President and Democratic Vice President (if applicable); (Rule
9.A.2 & Call I.G)
iii. All of Montana’s Democratic Members of the U.S. House of
Representatives and the U.S. Senate; (Rule 9.A.3, Call I.H & Call I.J)
iv. The Democratic Governor (if applicable); (Rule 9.A.4, Call I.H. & Call I.J)
v. “Distinguished Party Leader” delegates who legally reside in the state (if
applicable); [Persons who qualify as “Distinguished Party Leader”
delegates are: all former Democratic Presidents or Vice Presidents, all
former Democratic Leaders of the U.S. Senate, all former Democratic
Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Democratic Minority
Leaders, as applicable, and all former Chairs of the Democratic National
Committee.] (Rule 9.A.5, Call I.G & Reg. 4.13)
b. The certification process for the Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official
delegates is as follows:
i. Not later than March 1st, 2016, the Secretary of the Democratic National
Committee shall officially confirm to the State Democratic Chair the
names of the unpledged delegates who legally reside in Montana. (Rule 9.A)
ii. Official confirmation by the Secretary shall constitute verification of the
unpledged delegates from the categories indicated above. (Call IV.B.1)
iii. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary
of the DNC the presidential preference of state’s unpledged delegates 10
days after the completion of the State’s Delegate Selection Process. (Call IV.C)
2. For purposes of achieving equal division between delegate men and delegate women within
the state’s entire convention delegation, the entire delegation includes all pledged and
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unpledged delegates. (Rule 6.C)
C. Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates
1. Montana is allotted 2 pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates. (Call I.D, E. &
Appendix B)
2. Pledged PLEO Delegate Filing Requirements
a. Individuals shall be eligible for the pledged Party Leader and Elected Official
delegate positions according to the following priority: big city mayors and state-wide
elected officials (to be given equal consideration); state legislative leaders, state
legislators, and other state, county and local elected officials and party leaders. (Rule
9.B.1 & Reg. 4.15)
b. An individual can qualify as a candidate for a position as a pledged PLEO delegate
by filing a statement of candidacy designating their singular presidential or
uncommitted preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate
of his or her choice (including uncommitted status) with the State Party Chair no
later than one half hour after completion of the selection of the district-level
delegates on June 11th, 2016. A PLEO candidate may modify his or her singular
presidential preference by submitting an updated pledge of support no later than the
June 11th filing deadline. The State Party Committee office is located at (303 N.
Ewing, Helena, Montana 59601). (Rules 9.B.3, Rule 14.G., Reg. 4.16 & Reg. 4.21)
c. If persons eligible for pledged PLEO delegate positions have not already made
known their presidential preference (or uncommitted status) as candidates for
district-level or at-large delegate positions, their preference shall be ascertained
through the following alternative procedure by filing a signed pledge of support for a
presidential candidate (including uncommitted status) with the State Chair. (Rule 9.B.3 &
Reg. 4.16)
3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review
a. The State Democratic Party Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or that
candidate’s authorized representative(s), no later than one half hour after completion
of the selection of the district-level delegates on June 11th, 2016, a list of all persons
who have filed for a party and elected official delegate pledged to that presidential
candidate. (Rules 9.B.3 & Rule 12.D)
b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must
file with the State Democratic Party Chair, no later than one hour after completion of
the selection of the district-level delegates on June 11th, 2016, a list of all such
candidates he or she has approved, as long as approval is given to at least one (1)
name for every position to which the presidential candidate is entitled. (Rule 12.E.2 & Reg.
4.24)
c. A presidential candidate can disapprove using the same process as for district-level
candidates.
d. Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate candidates submitted to
the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate or the authorized
representative(s) signifies otherwise in writing to the State Democratic Chair no later
than one hour after completion of the selection of the district-level delegates on June
11th, 2016.
e. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the
DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate (including
Page 12
uncommitted status) has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective pledged
PLEO delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations
and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3)
business days of returning the list of approved pledged PLEO candidates as indicated
in Section III.C.3.b of this Plan.
4. Selection of Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
a. The pledged PLEO slots shall be allocated among presidential preferences on the
same basis as the at-large delegates. (Rule 9.B.2, Rule 10.C, Rule 13.E & F)
b. Selection of the pledged PLEO delegates will occur on June 11th, 2016, at a location
to be determined, after the election of district-level delegates and prior to the
selection of at-large delegates and alternates.
c. These delegates will be selected by a committee consisting of a quorum of the
district-level delegates. (Rule 9.C)
d. Individuals shall be eligible for the pledged party leader and elected official positions
according to the following priority: big city mayors and state-wide elected officials
(to be given equal consideration), state legislative leaders, state legislators, and other
state, county and local elected officials and party leaders, including precinct
committeemen and women. The provisions of Call II C apply to PLEO delegate
eligibility to ensure equal division between men and women in the entire delegation.
b. Selection of these delegates will occur one hour following the selection of districtlevel delegates on June 11th, 2016, at a location to be determined and prior to the
selection of at-large delegates and alternates. Any alternates will be selected with the
at-large delegates and alternates. District-level delegates who support a presidential
preference shall meet in a statewide caucus for that presidential preference to
nominate the pledged party leader and elected official delegates such presidential
candidate may have been allocated. Each delegate will have an equal (un-weighted)
vote.
5. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic
National Committee the election of the state’s pledged Party Leader and Elected Official
delegates to the Democratic National Convention within ten (10) days after their election. (Rule
8.D & Call IV.A)
D. At-Large Delegates and Alternates
1. The state of Montana is allotted 4 at-large delegates and 2 at-large alternates. (Rule 8.C, Call I.B, II,
Appendix B & Reg. 4.31)
2. At-Large Delegate and Alternate Filing Requirements
a. Persons desiring to seek at-large delegate or alternate positions may file a statement
of candidacy designating their singular presidential or uncommitted preference and a
signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate (including uncommitted
status) with the State Party no later than one half hour after completion of the
selection of the PLEO delegates on June 11th, 2016. A delegate or alternate candidate
may modify his or her singular presidential preference by submitting an updated
pledge of support no later than the June 11th filing deadline. (Rule 12.B, Rule 14.G., Regs. 4.22,
4.28 & 4.31)
i. Contact information is below:

Mail: PO Box 802, Helena, MT 59624
Page 13
Hand Deliver: 303 N. Ewing, Helena, MT 59601

Email: chair@montanademocrats.org

Fax: (406) 442-9534
b. The statement of candidacy for at-large delegates and for at-large alternates will be
the same. After the at-large delegates are elected by the State Convention, those
persons not chosen will then be considered candidates for at-large alternate positions
unless they specify otherwise when filing. (Rule 18.A)

3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review
a. The State Democratic Party Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or that
candidate’s authorized representative(s), not later than one half hour after completion of
the selection of the PLEO delegates on June 11th, 2016, a list of all persons who have
filed for delegate or alternate pledged to that presidential candidate. (Rule 12.D, Regs. 4.23 &
4.28)
i. Contact information is as below

Mail: PO Box 802, Helena, MT 59624

Hand Deliver: 303 N. Ewing, Helena, MT 59601

Email: chair@montanademocrats.org

Fax: (406) 442-9534
b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must
then file with the State Democratic Chair, not later than one hour after the
completion of the selection of the PLEO delegates, a list of all such candidates he or
she has approved, provided that, at a minimum one name remains for every national
convention delegate or alternate position to which the presidential candidate is
entitled. (Rule 12.D.4, Rule 12.E.2 & Reg. 4.24)
c. Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate candidates submitted to
the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate or the authorized
representative(s) signifies otherwise in writing to the State Democratic Chair not
later than one hour after the completion of the selection of the PLEO delegates on
June 11th, 2016. Contact information is the same as above.
d. The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC
Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate (including
uncommitted status) has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective at-large
delegate candidates and at-large alternate candidates meet the affirmative action and
inclusion considerations and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this
Plan within three (3) business days of returning the list of approved at-large delegate
candidates and at-large alternate candidates as indicated in Section III.D.3.b of this
Plan.
4. Fair Reflection of Presidential Preference
a. At-large delegate and alternate positions shall be allocated among presidential
preferences according to the statewide primary vote. (Rule 10.C)
b. Preferences which have not attained a 15% threshold on a statewide basis shall not
be entitled to any at-large delegates. (Rule 13.E)
c. If no presidential preference reaches a 15% threshold, the threshold shall be the
percentage of the statewide vote received by the front-runner, minus 10%. (Rule 13.F)
d. If a presidential candidate is no longer a candidate at the time of selection of the atlarge delegates, then those at-large slots that would have been allocated to the
candidate will be proportionally divided among the remaining preferences entitled to
Page 14
an allocation. (Rule 10.C)
e. If a given presidential preference is entitled to one or more delegate positions but
would not otherwise be entitled to an alternate position, that preference shall be
allotted one at-large alternate position. (Rule 18.B, Call I.I, Reg. 4.31 & Reg. 4.34)
5. Selection of At-Large Delegates and Alternates
a. The selection of the at-large delegates and alternates will occur one hour after the
completion of the selection of all pledged Party Leader and Elected Official
delegates on June 11th, 2016, at a location to be determined. (Rule 8.D & Call III)
i. Delegates to the state convention who support a presidential preference
shall meet in a statewide caucus to nominate the at-large delegates such
candidate may have been allocated. Each delegate shall cast an equal (unweighted) vote.
ii. Nominations made in the candidate caucuses shall be submitted to the
entire state.
b. Priority of Consideration
In the selection of the at-large delegation, priority of consideration shall be given to
African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans and
women. (Rule 6.A)
i. In order to continue the Democratic Party’s ongoing efforts to include
groups historically under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs and
to assist in the achievement of full participation by these groups, priority of
consideration shall be given to other groups by virtue of race/ethnicity, age,
sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. (Rule 5.C, Rule 6.A.3 & Reg. 4.7)
ii. The election of at-large delegates and alternates shall be used, if
necessary, to achieve the equal division of positions between men and
women, and may be used to achieve the representation goals established in
the Affirmative Action section of this plan. (Rule 6.A & Rule 6.C)
iii. Delegates and alternates are to be considered separate groups for this
purpose. (Rule 6.A.3, Rule 10.A, Reg. 4.8 & Reg. 4.19)
6. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic
National Committee the election of the state’s at-large delegates and alternates to the
Democratic National Convention within ten (10) days after their election. (Rule 8.C & Call IV.A)
E. Replacement of Delegates and Alternates
1. A pledged delegate or alternate may be replaced according to the following guidelines:
a. Permanent Replacement of a Delegate: (Rule 18.D.3)
i. A permanent replacement occurs when a delegate resigns or dies prior to
or during the national convention and the alternate replaces the delegate for
the remainder of the National Convention.
ii. Any alternate permanently replacing a delegate shall be of the same
presidential preference (including uncommitted status) and sex of the
delegate he/she replaces, and to the extent possible shall be from the same
political subdivision within the state as the delegate.
iii. In the case where the presidential candidate has only one alternate, that
alternate shall become the certified delegate.
iv. If a presidential candidate has only one alternate, and that alternate
Page 15
permanently replaces a delegate of the opposite sex, thereby causing the
delegation to no longer be equally divided, the delegation shall not be
considered in violation of Rule 6.C. In such a case, notwithstanding Rule
18.D.2, the State Party Committee shall, at the time of a subsequent
permanent replacement, replace a delegate with a person of the opposite
sex, in order to return the delegation to equal division of men and women.
(Reg. 4.33)
v. If a delegate or alternate candidate who has been elected but not certified
to the DNC Secretary resigns, dies or is no longer eligible to serve, he or
she shall be replaced, after consultation with the State Party, by the
authorized representative of the presidential candidate to whom he or she is
pledged. (Rule 18.D.2)
b. Temporary Replacement of a Delegate: (Rule 18.D.3)
i. A temporary replacement occurs when a delegate is to be absent for a
limited period of time during the convention and an alternate temporarily
acts in the delegate’s place.
ii. Any alternate who temporarily replaces a delegate must be of the same
presidential preference (including uncommitted status) as the delegate
he/she replaces, and to the extent possible shall be of the same sex and
from the same political subdivision within the state as the delegate.
c. The following system will be used to select permanent and temporary replacements
of delegates: (Rule 18.D.1)
i. When a majority of the delegation declares that a permanent vacancy
exists, the delegation chooses the alternate.
ii. Any delegate may choose his/her temporary replacement from the
alternates in the delegation.
d. Certification of Replacements
i. Any alternate who permanently replaces a delegate shall be certified in
writing to the Secretary of the DNC by the State Democratic Chair. (Rule
18.D.3)
ii. Permanent replacement of a delegate (as specified above) by an alternate
and replacement of a vacant alternate position shall be certified in writing
by the Montana Democratic Chair to the Secretary of the Democratic
National Committee within three (3) days after the replacement is selected.
(Call IV.D.1)
iii. Certification of permanent replacements will be accepted by the Secretary
up to 72 hours before the first official session of the Convention is
scheduled to convene. (Call IV.D.1. & Reg. 4.31)
iv. In the case where a pledged delegate is permanently replaced after 72
hours before the time the first session is scheduled to convene or, in the
case where a pledged delegate is not on the floor of the Convention Hall at
the time a roll call vote is taken, an alternate may be designated (as
specified above) to cast the delegate’s vote. In such case, the Delegation
Chair shall indicate the name of the alternate casting the respective
delegate’s vote on the delegation tally sheet. (Call VIII.F.3.d., Call VIII.F.3.b & Reg. 5.6)
e. A vacant alternate position shall be filled by the delegation. The replacement shall be
of the same presidential preference (or uncommitted status), of the same sex and, to
the extent possible, from the same political subdivision as the alternate being
replaced. (Rule 18.E)
Page 16
2. Unpledged delegates shall not be entitled to a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to a
replacement, except under the following circumstances: (Rule 18.E & Reg. 4.33)
a. Members of Congress and the Democratic Governor shall not be entitled to name a
replacement. In the event of changes or vacancies in the state’s Congressional
Delegation, following the official confirmation and prior to the commencement of
the National Convention, the DNC Secretary shall recognize only such changes as
have been officially recognized by the Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House of
Representatives or the Democratic Conference of the U.S. Senate. In the event of a
change or vacancy in the state’s office of Governor, the DNC shall recognize only
such changes as have been officially recognized by the Democratic Governors’
Association. (Call IV.D.2.a)
b. Members of the Democratic National Committee shall not be entitled to a
replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to a replacement, except in the case of
death of such delegates. In the case where the state’s DNC membership changes
following the DNC Secretary’s official confirmation, but prior to the commencement
of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, acknowledgment by the Secretary of
the new DNC member certification shall constitute verification of the corresponding
change of unpledged delegates. (Call IV.D.2.b)
c. Unpledged distinguished Party Leader delegates allocated to the state pursuant to
Rule 9.A.5, shall not be entitled to name a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled
to name a replacement. (Call, IV.D.2.c)
d. In no case may an alternate cast a vote for an unpledged delegate. (Call VIII.F.3.d)
Page 17
Section IV
Convention Standing Committee Members
A. Introduction
1. Montana has been allocated 1 member on each of the three standing committees for the 2016
Democratic National Convention (Credentials, Platform and Rules), for a total of 3 members.
(Call VII.A & Appendix D)
2. Members of the Convention Standing Committees need not be delegates or alternates to the
2016 Democratic National Convention. (Call VII.A.3)
3. These members will be selected in accordance with the procedures indicated below. (Rule 1.G)
B. Standing Committee Members
1. Selection Meeting
a. The members of the standing committees shall be elected by a quorum of Montana’s
National Convention delegates, at a meeting to be held on June 11th, 2016. (Call VII.B.1)
b. A quorum shall consist of forty percent (40%) of the Montana’s delegates to National
Convention (Rule 15)
c. All members of the delegation shall receive adequate notice of the time, date and
place of the meeting to select the standing committee members. (Call VII.B.1)
2. Allocation of Members
a. The members of the standing committees allocated to Montana shall proportionately
represent the presidential preference of all candidates (including uncommitted status)
receiving the threshold percentage used in the state’s delegation to calculate the atlarge apportionment pursuant to Rule 13.E of the Delegate Selection Rules. (Call VII.C.1
& Reg. 5.8)
b. The presidential preference of each candidate receiving the applicable percentage or
more within the delegation shall be multiplied by the total number of standing
committee positions allocated to Montana. If the result of such multiplication does
not equal 0.455 or above, the presidential preference in question is not entitled to
representation on the standing committee. If the result of such multiplication is 0.455
but less than 1.455, the presidential preference is entitled to one (1) position. Those
preferences securing more than 1.455 but less than 2.455 are entitled to two (2)
positions, etc. (Call VII.C.2)
c. Where the application of this formula results in the total allocation exceeding the
total number of committee positions, the presidential candidate whose original figure
of representation is farthest from its eventual rounded-off total shall be denied that
one (1) additional position. Where the application of this formula results in the total
allocation falling short of the total number of committee positions, the presidential
candidate whose original figure of representation is closest to the next rounding level
shall be allotted an additional committee position. (Call VII.C.3)
d. Standing committee positions allocated to a presidential candidate shall be
proportionately allocated, to the extent practicable, to each of the three standing
committees. When such allocation results in an unequal distribution of standing
Page 18
committee positions by candidate preference, a drawing shall be conducted to
distribute the additional positions. (Call VII.C.4)
3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review
a. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), shall be
given adequate notice of the date, time and location of the meeting of the state’s
delegation authorized to elect standing committee members. (Call VII.D.1)
b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must
submit to the State Democratic Chair, by 15 minutes before the June 11th, 2016
meeting of the National Convention delegates, a minimum of one (1) name for each
slot awarded to that candidate for members of each committee. The delegation shall
select the standing committee members from among names submitted by the
presidential candidates (including uncommitted status). Presidential candidates shall
not be required to submit the name of more than one person for each slot awarded to
such candidate for members of standing committees. (Call VII.D.2)
4. Selection Procedure to Achieve Equal Division
a. Presidential candidates (including uncommitted status) shall use their best efforts to
ensure that their respective delegation of standing committee members shall achieve
Montana’s affirmative action goals and that their respective members are equally
divided between men and women. (Rule 6.I & Reg. 4.9)
b. The gender of the three standing Committee members shall be assigned by drawing
lots, except that no more than two (2) may be of the same gender.
5. Certification and Substitution
a. The State Democratic Chair shall certify the standing committee members in writing
to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after
their selection. (Call VII.B.3)
b. No substitutions will be permitted in the case of standing committee members,
except in the case of resignation or death. Substitutions must be made in accordance
with the rules and the election procedures specified in this section, and must be
certified in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within
three (3) days after the substitute member is selected but not later than 48 hours
before the respective standing committee meets. (Call VII.B.4)
Page 19
Section V
The Delegation
A. Delegation Chair and Pages
1. Montana will select one (1) person to serve as Delegation Chair and 2 to serve as
Convention Pages. (Call IV.E, Call IV.F.1 & Appendix C)
B. Delegation Chair
1. Selection Meeting
a. The Delegation Chair shall be selected by a quorum of the state’s National
Convention Delegates, at a meeting to be held on June 11th, 2016. (Call IV.E)
b. A quorum shall consist of forty percent (40%) of the state’s delegates to the National
Convention. (Rule14)
c. All members of the delegation shall receive timely notice of the time, date and place
of the meeting to select the Delegation Chair. (Rule 3.C)
2. The State Democratic Chair shall certify the Delegation Chair in writing to the Secretary of
the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after his or her selection. (Call IV.E)
C. Convention Pages
1. Two (2) individuals will be selected to serve as Montana’s Convention Pages by the State
Democratic Chair in consultation with the members of the Democratic National Committee
from the state. This selection will take place June 11th, 2016 after the delegation chair is elected.
(Call IV.F.3, Appendix C & Reg. 5.7)
2. The Convention Pages shall be as evenly divided between men and women as possible
under the state allocation and shall reflect as much as possible, the affirmative action
guidelines in the Affirmative Action Plan. (Reg. 5.7.A)
3. The State Democratic Chair shall certify the individuals to serve as Montana s Convention
Pages in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3)
days after the selection. (Call IV.F.3 & Reg. 5.7.B)
Page 20
Section VI
General Provisions and Procedural Guarantees
1. The Montana Democratic Party reaffirms its commitment to an open party by incorporating the
“six basic elements” as listed below. These provisions demonstrate the intention of the
Democratic Party to ensure a full opportunity for all minority group members to participate in
the delegate selection process. (Rules 4.A & 4.C)
a. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party in Montana should be open
to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed,
national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic
status or physical disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as “status”). (Rule 4.B.1)
b. No test for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to, the Democratic Party in
Montana should be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or
current members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support
discrimination based on “status.” (Rule 4.B.2)
c. The time and place for all public meetings of the Democratic Party in Montana on all
levels should be publicized fully and in such manner as to assure timely notice to all
interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party
members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons. (Rule 4.B.3)
d. The Democratic Party in Montana, on all levels, should support the broadest possible
registration without discrimination based on “status.” (Rule 4.B.4)
e. The Democratic Party in Montana should publicize fully, and in such a manner as to
assure notice to all interested parties, a full description of the legal and practical
procedures for selection of Democratic Party officers and representatives on all
levels. Publication of these procedures should be done in such fashion that all
prospective and current members of the Montana Democratic Party will be fully and
adequately informed of the pertinent procedures in time to participate in each
selection procedure at all levels of the Democratic Party of Montana. (Rule 4.B.5)
f. The Democratic Party in Montana should publicize fully and in such a manner as to
assure notice to all interested parties, a complete description of the legal and
practical qualifications of all positions as officers and representatives of the State
Democratic Party. Such publication should be done in timely fashion so that all
prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within
each State Democratic Party will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for
office. (Rule 4.B.6)
2. Discrimination on the basis of ‘status’ in the conduct of Democratic Party affairs is prohibited.
(Rule 5.B)
3. Montana’s delegation shall be equally divided between delegate men and delegate women, and
alternate men and alternate women. Such goal applies to the entire delegation, which includes
all pledged delegates and alternates and all unpledged delegates. Delegates and alternates shall
be considered separate groups for purposes of achieving equal division. (Rule 6.C)
4. All delegate and alternate candidates must be identified as to presidential preference or
uncommitted status at all levels which determine presidential preference. (Rule 12.A)
5. No delegate at any level of the delegate selection process shall be mandated by law or Party
rules to vote contrary to that person’s presidential choice as expressed at the time the delegate is
elected. (Rule 12.I)
Page 21
6. Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good
conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. (Rule 12.J)
7. All delegates, alternates and standing committee members must be bona fide Democrats who
have the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party of the United States at heart,
who subscribe to the substance, intent and principles of the Charter and Bylaws of the
Democratic Party of the United States, and who will participate in the Convention in good faith.
(Rule 12.H & Reg. 4.25)
8. No less than forty percent (40%) of the members of any Party body above the first level of the
delegate selection process shall constitute a quorum for any business pertaining to the selection
of National Convention delegates, alternates, standing committee members, and other official
Convention participants. (Rule 15)
9. No proxy voting will be allowed. (Rule 16)
10. The unit rule, or any rule or practice whereby all members of a Party unit or delegation may be
required to cast their votes in accordance with the will of a majority of the body, shall not be
used at any stage of the delegate selection process. (Rule 17.A)
11. Any individual or group of Democrats may sponsor or endorse a slate of candidates for
convention delegates. But no slate may, by virtue of such endorsement, receive a preferential
place on a delegate selection ballot or be publicly identified on the ballot as the official
Democratic Party organization slate, and all slates must meet identical qualifying requirements
for appearing on a ballot at all levels of the delegate selection process. (Rule 17.B)
12. All steps in the delegate selection process, including the filing of presidential candidates, must
take place within the calendar year of the Democratic National Convention, except with respect
to the implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan. (Rule 1.F & Rule 11.B)
13. In electing and certifying delegates and alternates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention,
Montana thereby undertakes to assure all Democratic voters in the state a full, timely and equal
opportunity to participate in the delegate selection process and in all Party affairs and to
implement affirmative action plans toward that end; that the delegates and alternates to the
Convention shall be selected in accordance with the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2016
Democratic National Convention; and that the delegates certified will not publicly support or
campaign for any candidates for Presidents or Vice President other than the nominees of the
Democratic National Convention. Furthermore, voters in the state will have the opportunity to
cast their election ballots for the Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees selected by said
Convention, and for electors pledged formally and in good conscience to the election of these
Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees, under the label and designation of the Democratic
Party of the United States. (Call II.B)
Page 22
Section VII
Affirmative Action, Outreach and Inclusion Plan
A. Statement of Purpose and Organization
1. Purpose and Objectives
a. To assure that the Democratic Party at all levels is an open Party which includes
rather than excludes people from participation, a program of effective affirmative
action is hereby adopted by Montana. (Rule 5.A)
b. Discrimination on the basis of “status” in the conduct of Democratic Party affairs is
prohibited. (Rule 5.B)
c. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party in Montana should be open
to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed,
national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic
status or physical disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as “status”). (Rule 4.B.1)
d. Consistent with the Democratic Party’s commitment to including groups historically
under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs, by virtue of race/ethnicity, age,
sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, Montana has established goals for
these groups. (Rule 5.C & Reg. 4.7)
e. To encourage full participation by all Democrats in the delegate selection process
and in all Party affairs, the Montana Democratic Party has adopted and will
implement programs with specific goals and timetables for Native Americans
African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and women.
To further encourage full participation in the process, the Montana Democratic Party
has established goals and timetables for other underrepresented groups, including
LGBT Americans, people with disabilities and youth. (Rule 6.A & Rule 7)
i. The goal of the programs shall be to encourage participation in the
delegate selection process and in Party organizations at all levels by the
aforementioned groups as indicated by their presence in the Democratic
electorate. (Rule 6.A.1)
ii. For the delegate selection process, “Youth” is defined as any participant
36 years old and younger.
iii. For the delegate selection process, individuals identifying as Native
Americans should provide their tribal affiliation and indicate if they are
enrolled in a tribe.
iv. These goals shall not be accomplished either directly or indirectly by the
Party’s imposition of mandatory quotas at any level of the delegate
selection process or in any other Party affairs. (Rule 6.A.2)
2. Organizational Structure
a. An Affirmative Action Committee shall be appointed by the State Democratic Chair
on February 28, 2015. (Rule 6.F)
b. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Rules and Bylaws
Committee of the Democratic National Committee the compliance of the State’s
Affirmative Action Committee with Rules 5.C, 6.A and 7, and submit the names,
demographic data and contact information no later than 15 days after their
appointment. (Reg. 2.2.K)
c. The Committee shall consist of members from each delegate district representing the
Page 23
Democratic constituency groups set forth in the Introduction to the Affirmative
Action Plan. See attached “Exhibit #1” for a list of the members of the Affirmative
Action Committee.
d. The Affirmative Action Committee shall be responsible for:
i. Reviewing the proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans
and making recommendations to the State Democratic Party Chair.
ii. Reviewing the proposed Inclusion Programs and making
recommendations to the State Democratic Party Chair.
iii. Directing the implementation of all requirements of the Affirmative
Action section of this Plan.
iv. Implementing a financial assistance program for delegates and alternates.
(Rule 6.G)
v. Ensuring, on behalf of the State Democratic Party, that district lines used
in the delegate selection process are not gerrymandered to discriminate
against African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans
and Pacific Islanders and women. (Rule 6.E)
e. Financial and staff support for the Affirmative Action Committee shall be provided
by the State Democratic Party Committee to the greatest extent feasible, including,
but not limited to, making available on a priority basis, the State Party staff and
volunteers and covering all reasonable costs incurred in carrying out this Plan.
3. Implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan shall begin by September 15th, 2015, with the
distribution of the press kits, and will continue through the end of the delegate selection process.
(Rule 1.F)
B. Efforts to Educate on the Delegate Selection Process
1. Well-publicized educational workshops will be conducted in each of the delegate districts
beginning in September 2015. These workshops will be designed to encourage participation in
the delegate selection process, including apprising potential delegate candidates of the
availability of financial assistance. These workshops will be held in places that are easily
accessible to persons with physical disabilities. The times, dates, places and rules for the
conduct of all education workshops, meetings and other events involved in the delegate
selection process shall be effectively publicized by the party organization and include mailings
to various organizations representative of the Democratic voting populace. (Rule 3.A, Rule 3.C & Rule
3.D)
2. A speakers bureau of volunteers from the Affirmative Action Committee comprised of
individuals who are fully familiar with the process, will be organized to appear before groups,
as needed, to provide information concerning the process.
3. The State Party’s education efforts will include outreach to community leaders within the
Democratic Party’s constituencies and making sure that information about the delegate selection
process is available to Democratic clubs and Party caucuses representing specific
constituencies.
4. The State Party will publish and make available at no cost: a clear and concise explanation of
how Democratic voters can participate in the delegate selection process; an explanation of how,
where and when persons can register to vote; and delegate district maps. As well, the State Party
shall also make available copies of the State Party Rules, the Delegate Selection Plan (and its
Page 24
attachments), the Affirmative Action Plan, and relevant state statutes at no cost. Copies of
documents related to the state’s delegate selection process will be prepared and the Affirmative
Action Committee will distribute them in the various delegate districts not later than March 7th,
2016. (Rule 1.H)
5. The State Party shall take all feasible steps to encourage persons to register and to vote as
Democrats and will seek to ensure simple and easy registration procedures. (Rule 2.C)
C. Efforts to Publicize the Delegate Selection Process
1. Special attention shall be directed at publicizing the delegate selection process in the state.
Such publicity shall include information on eligibility to vote and how to become a candidate
for delegate, the time and location of each stage of the delegate selection process and where to
get additional information. The foregoing information will also be published in the State Party
communications and on the State Party’s website. The Party organization, official, candidate, or
member calling a meeting or scheduling an event, shall effectively publicize the role that such
meeting or event plays in the selection of delegates and alternates to the Democratic National
Convention. (Rule 3.C & Rule 3.D)
2. Newspapers, radio and television will be utilized to inform the general public how, when and
where to participate in the delegate selection process. Specifically, this information should
provide details as to how to qualify to run as a delegate candidate. Special effort shall be
directed to the major daily newspapers, radio and television stations by the State Democratic
Chair, Affirmative Action Committee members and staff. Regular releases during the delegate
selection process to all other media sources, weekly newspapers, and wire services should
complete timely coverage. See attached “Exhibit #2” for a listing of media outlets. (Rule 4.B.3 & Rule 6.D)
3. A priority effort shall be directed at publicity among the Democratic Party’s constituencies.
a. Information about the delegate selection process will be provided to minority
newspapers and radio stations, ethnic press, Native American, Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders, Spanish-speaking and other non-English press, radio stations and
publications, and women’s organizations, student newspapers, LGBT press,
disability press, and any other specialty media in the state that is likely to reach the
Democratic constituency groups set forth in the Introduction of this Affirmative
Action Plan.
b. The State Party shall be responsible for the implementation of this publicity effort by
reaching out to constituency and specialty media outlets. (See attached “Exhibit #2”)
For purposes of providing adequate notice of the delegate selection process, the
times, dates, places and rules for the conduct of all events included in the delegate
selection process shall be effectively publicized, multilingual where necessary, to
encourage the participation of minority groups. (Rule 6.D)
4. Not later than September 15th, 2015, a press kit shall be made and provided to each daily and
weekly newspaper as well as to the electronic media. The press kit will include:
a. a summary of all pertinent rules related to the state’s delegate selection process;
b. a map of delegate districts and how many delegates will be elected within each
district;
c. a summary explaining the operation and importance of the 2016 Convention; and
d. materials designed to encourage participation by prospective delegate candidates.
Page 25
D. Representation Goals
1. The State Party has determined the demographic composition of African Americans, Hispanics,
Native Americans, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the state’s Democratic
electorate. These constituency percentages shall be established as goals for representation in the
state’s convention delegation. (Rule 6.A)
2. The State Party has determined the demographic composition of members of the LGBT
community, people with disabilities, and youth in the state’s Democratic electorate and
furthermore, the State Party has chosen to establish these percentages as goals for representation
in the state’s convention delegation.
Group
Black/African American
Native American
Hispanic
Asian/Pacific Islanders
LGBT
People with Disabilities
Young Voter (18-36)
Percentage
of Montana
Voting Age
Population
0.54%
6.52%
2.27%
0.93%
5.00%
26.00%
20.07%
Voting
Percentage
Times
Strength
of
Delegate Number
within the Democratic Number
of
Party
Electorate
(27)
Delegates
93%
1.00%
0.24
1
90%
11.74%
3.16
3
71%
3.22%
0.87
1
73%
1.36%
0.37
1
76%
7.60%
2.05
2
50%
13.00%
3.51
3
57%
37.00%
9.99
10
* Percentages for Montana voting age population or turnout & voting strength within the Party
are based on 2010 Census Data, Montana Secretary of State 2012 age turnout statistics, exit
polling from 2012 conducted by the Edison Media Research for the National Election Pool,
and exit polling from 2012 conducted by the New York Times.
** No data on the percentage of the Montana electorate with disabilities or exit polls of voting
strength of Native Americans within the Party could be found so percentages from the 2012
Delegate Selection Plan have been used for those two figures.
*** No evidence was found to suggest People with Disabilities vote overtly partisan either way
thus the group has been given a 50% voting strength.
**** Each partial delegate number was rounded to the nearest whole number when applied to
our total number of delegates allotted to the National Convention.
3. When selecting the at-large portion of the delegation, the demographic composition of the other
delegates (district-level, pledged PLEO, and unpledged) shall be compared with the State
Party’s goals to achieve an at-large selection process that helps to bring about a representative
balance.
4. Use of the at-large delegation to achieve the affirmative action goals established by this Plan
does not obviate the need for the State Party to conduct outreach activities such as recruitment,
education and training. (Rule 6.A.3)
Page 26
E. Obligations of Presidential Candidates to Maximize Participation
1. Presidential candidates shall assist the Montana Democratic Party in meeting the
demographic representation goals reflected in the Affirmative Action Plan. (Rule 6.H)
2. Each presidential candidate must submit a written statement to the State Democratic Chair by
May 16th, 2016 which indicates the specific steps he or she will take to encourage full
participation in Montana’s delegate selection process, including, but not limited to, procedures
by which persons may file as candidates for delegate or alternate. (Rule 6.H.1)
3. Each presidential candidate must submit demographic information with respect to all
candidates for delegate and alternate pledged to them. Such information shall be submitted in
conjunction with the list of names approved for consideration as delegate and alternate
candidates pledged to the presidential candidate. (Rule 6.H.2)
4. Presidential candidates (including uncommitted status) shall use their best effort to ensure
that their respective delegations within the state’s delegate, alternate and standing committee
delegations shall achieve the affirmative action goals reflected in the Affirmative Action Plan
and that the respective delegations of each presidential candidate shall be equally divided
between men and women. Furthermore, presidential candidates shall use their best efforts at the
district level to approve delegate and alternate candidates who meet applicable equal division
and affirmative action considerations in order to achieve the affirmative action goals and equal
division for their respective delegations. (Rule 6.I & Reg. 4.9)
Page 27
Section VIII
Challenges
A. Jurisdiction & Standing
1. Challenges related to the delegate selection process are governed by the Regulations of the
DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention (Reg. Sec. 3), and
the “Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2016 Democratic National
Convention.” (Call Appendix A)
2. Under Rule 20.B. of the 2016 Delegate Selection Rules, the DNC Rules and Bylaws
Committee has jurisdiction over challenges pertaining to the submission, non-implementation
and violation of state Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans. (Rule 20.B & Call Appendix A)
3. The Rules and Bylaws Committee has jurisdiction to hear and decide any challenge
provided it is initiated before the 56th day preceding the date of the commencement of the 2016
Democratic National Convention. (Call Appendix A & Reg. 3.1)
4. Challenges to the credentials of delegates and alternates to the 2016 Democratic National
Convention initiated on or after the 56th day preceding the date of commencement of the
Democratic National Convention shall be processed in accordance with the “Rules of Procedure
of the Credentials Committee of the 2016 Democratic National Convention.” (Call Appendix A)
5. Any challenge to the credentials of a standing committee member shall be considered and
resolved by the affected standing committee in accordance with Appendix A of the Call for the
2016 Democratic National Convention. The Rules and Bylaws Committee shall have
jurisdiction over challenges brought before the 56th day preceding the date of the
commencement of the Democratic National Convention. (Call VII.B.5)
6. Copies of the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee and/or the Call for the 2016
Democratic National Convention, including the Rules of Procedure of the Credentials
Committee (Appendix A), shall be made available by the State Party upon reasonable request.
7. Any group of fifteen (15) Democrats with standing to challenge as defined in Reg. 3.2 or the
Call (Appendix A, Sec. 2.A), may bring a challenge to this Plan or to the implementation of this
Plan, including its Affirmative Action provisions.
B. Challenges to the Status of the State Party and Challenges to the Plan
1. A challenge to the status of the State Party Committee as the body entitled to sponsor a
delegation from that state shall be filed with the Rules and Bylaws Committee not later than
thirty (30) calendar days prior to the initiation of the state’s delegate selection process. (Rule 20.A &
Reg. 3.4.A)
2. A challenge to the state’s Delegate Selection Plan shall be filed with the Chair of the
Montana Democratic Party and the Co-Chairs of the Rules and Bylaws Committee within
fifteen (15) calendar days after the adoption of the Plan by the State Party. (Reg. 3.4.B)
3. A challenge to a Plan must be brought in conformity with the Rules and the Regulations,
Page 28
which should be consulted for a detailed explanation of challenge procedures.
C. Challenges to Implementation
1. A challenge may be brought alleging that a specific requirement of an approved Plan has not
been properly implemented. Jurisdiction over all challenges initiated in a timely fashion shall
reside with either the Rules and Bylaws Committee or the Credentials Committee of the
National Convention (See Section VII.A above). However, the Rules and Bylaws Committee
may provide advice, assistance or interpretations of the Delegate Selection Rules at any stage of
the delegate selection process. (Reg. 3.1.C)
2. An implementation challenge brought before the Rules and Bylaws Committee is initiated
by filing a written challenge with the State Party Committee and with the Rules and Bylaws
Committee not later than fifteen (15) days after the alleged violation occurred. The State Party
has twenty-one (21) days to render a decision. Within ten (10) days of the decision, any party to
the challenge may appeal it to the Rules and Bylaws Committee. If in fact, the State Party
renders no decision, any party to the challenge may request the Rules and Bylaws Committee to
process it. The request must be made within ten (10) days after expiration of the above twentyone (21) day period. (Reg. 3.4.C., Reg. E & Reg. H)
3. Performance under an approved Affirmative Action Plan and composition of the convention
delegation shall be considered relevant evidence in the challenge to any state delegation. If a
State Party has adopted and implemented an approved affirmative action program, the State
Party shall not be subject to challenge based solely on delegation composition or primary
results. (Rule 6.B) The procedures are the same for challenges alleging failure to properly
implement the Affirmative Action section of a Plan, except that such challenges must be filed
not later than thirty (30) days prior to the initiation of the state’s delegate selection process. (Reg.
3.4.C)
4. Depending on the appropriate jurisdiction (see Section VIII.A above), implementation
challenges must be brought in conformity with the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws
Committee or the Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee, which should be consulted
for a detailed explanation of challenge procedures.
Page 29
Section IX
Summary of Plan
A. Selection of Delegates and Alternates
1. Montana will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the primary
apportioning its delegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
a. The “first determining step” of Montana’s delegate selection process will occur on
June 7th, 2016 with a primary election.
b. Delegates and alternates will be selected as summarized on the following chart:
Type
Delegates
District-Level
Delegates
15
Alternates
0
Date of Selection Selecting Body
Filing
Requirements
and Deadlines
June 11th, 2016
State Delegate Selection
Convention - District
Selection
Refer to Section
IX.A.2.a below.
Refer to Section
IX.A.2.b below.
Unpledged Party
Leader and
Elected Official
Delegates
6
0
N/A
By Virtue of Respective
public or Party office as
Provided in Rule 8.A of
the 12 Delegate Selection
Rules
Pledged Party
Leader and
Elected Official
Delegates
2
0
June 11th, 2016
Quorum of District-Level
Delegates
Refer to Section
IX.A.2.c below.
At-Large
Delegates
4
2
June 11th, 2016
State Delegate Selection
Convention
Refer to Section
IX.A.2.d below.
27
2
Total
* Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates includes the following categories, if
applicable, who legally reside in the state: the Democratic National Committee Members, the
Democratic President, the Democratic Vice President, all Democratic members of the U.S. House of
Representatives and the U.S. Senate, the Democratic Governor, and any other Distinguished Party
Leader as specified in Rule 9.A of the 2016 Delegate Selection Rules. The exact number of Unpledged
PLEO Delegates is subject to change due to possible deaths, resignations, elections or special elections.
**Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) alternates are selected with the At-Large
alternates.
2. Written requirements for becoming a delegate
a. District-Level Delegate
i. File a statement of candidacy with the State Democratic Party by 5:00
P.M. June 10th, 2016.
ii. You must live in the district you are running to represent.
iii. District-level delegates will be selected by a convention of previously
selected county delegates within each Montana Democratic Party
Page 30
Executive Board District. County delegate selection conventions will be
held June 9th, 2016. Each county will have a number of delegates based on
equal performance of the Democratic vote for President and Governor in
the 2012 Election.
b. Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
i. Be elected a member of the State’s Democratic National Committee
Delegation or be elected as a Democratic President, Vice-President,
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, or Governor.
c. Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
i. Be a Democratic big-city mayor, statewide elected official, state
legislative leader, state legislator, or other state, county or local elected
official or party leader.
ii. File a statement of candidacy and a signed pledge of support for
Presidential candidate of your choice no later than one half hour after the
completion of the selection of district-level delegates on June 11th, 2016.
d. At-Large Delegates & Alternates
i. File a statement of candidacy with the State Party headquarters no later
than one half hour after the completion of the selection of the PLEO
delegates on June 11th, 2016 (the statement of candidacy for at-large
delegates and district-level delegates will be the same).
ii. The election will occur on June 11th, 2016 after all district-level delegates
and pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegates have been
selected.
iii. Alternates will be selected in the same fashion a delegates following the
selection of delegates.
iv. At-large delegates will be elected at a statewide convention of delegates
from each county and cast equal (un-weighted) votes for alternates based
on the declared preference of each delegate and proportional to the primary
election percentages. Preference shall be given to achieve goals outlined in
the Affirmative Action Plan.
B. Selection of Standing Committee Members (For the Credentials,
Platform, Rules Committees)
1. Standing committee members will be selected by the state’s National Convention delegates as
summarized below:
Members Per
Committee
1
Total
Members
Selection Date
Filing Requirements and Deadlines
3
June 11th, 2016
Members will be elected by the National Convention
delegates from lists submitted by the presidential
candidates immediately following the Delegate
Selection Meeting.
C. Selection of Delegation Chair and Convention Pages
1. The Delegation Chair will be selected by the National Convention Delegates on June 11th,
Page 31
2016.
2. Two Convention Pages will be selected by the State Democratic Chair on June 11th, 2016.
D. Presidential Candidate Filing Deadline
1. A presidential candidate may gain access to the Montana presidential ballot through one or
more of the following methods:
a. The candidate submits a declaration for nomination to the Secretary of State and
nominating petitions (available at the Secretary of State’s office or State Party
Headquarters) with the verified signatures of at least 500 qualified electors from the
State of Montana.
i. Petitions of nomination for the presidential preference primary election
and the affidavits of circulation required must be presented to the election
administrator of the county in which the signatures are gathered at least one
week before the primary election filing deadline prescribed in 13-10201(6)(b) MCA. For 2016 the deadline to submit petitions to the county
election administrator is March 7th, 2016. A filing fee is not required.
b. The candidate submits a declaration for nomination to the Secretary of State by
March 14th 2016, and the Secretary of State determines, by the time that declarations
for nomination are to be filed, that the individual is eligible to receive payments
pursuant to the federal Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act, 26
U.S.C. 9031, et seq.
2. Presidential candidates must certify the name of their authorized representative(s) to the State
Democratic Chair by March 25th, 2016.
E. Timetable
Date
Activity
2015
28-Feb
Delegate Selection Affirmative Action Committee members are appointed by the
State Chair.
27-Mar
Public comments are solicited on the proposed Delegate Selection Plan.
April
Affirmative Action Committee meets to draft/review proposed Affirmative Action
Plan.
1-May
Proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans are tentatively approved
with public comment to date.
4-May
Montana Delegate Selection Plan is submitted to DNC rules and bylaws committee
15-Sep
State Party begins implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan. Press kits, as
described in the Affirmative Action Plan, are sent to all state media.
2016
14-Jan
Candidate filing opens with Montana Secretary of State
Page 32
7-Mar
14-Mar
Deadline for nominating petitions due to county election administrators for
Presidential Candidates
Deadline for filing a declaration of nomination with the Secretary of State for
Presidential Candidates
25-Mar
Presidential candidates must certify to State Chair their authorized representative(s)
16-May
Presidential candidates must submit Affirmative Action steps to State Chair
7-Jun
Montana Primary Election
9-Jun
County delegate selection conventions
Statement of candidacy for district-level delegates due by 5 P.M.
10-Jun
State Chair submits names to Presidential candidates by 6 P.M.
Presidential candidates must file a list of approved candidates for district-level
delegates by 8:00 P.M.
District-level delegates selected by convention of county-level delegates within
district
Statement of candidacy for district-level delegates due one half hour after completion
of district-level delegate selection
Presidential candidates must file a list of approved candidates for PLEO delegates one
hour after completion of district-level delegate selection
PLEO delegates selected by a quorum of district-level delegates
11-Jun
Statement of candidacy for at-large delegates and alternates due one half hour after
completion of PLEO delegate selection
Presidential candidates must file a list of approved candidates for at-large delegates
and alternates one hour after completion of PLEO delegate selection
At-large delegates and alternates selected by convention of county-level delegates
statewide
Standing Committee Members selected by convention of National Convention
Delegates
Delegation Chair selected by a quorum of National Convention Delegates
Convention pages selected by State Chair
21-Jun
State Chair certifies all National Convention Delegates to DNC Secretary
Page 33
Page 34
Attachments
Page 35
Exhibits to the Affirmative Action Plan
A. Members of the Affirmative Action Committee
Chairwoman
Stacey Otterstrom – Female, Native American-Little Shell Chippewa, Youth
Members
Bryce Bennett - Male, Caucasian, Youth, LGBT
Jorge Quintana – Male, Hispanic
Jean Lemire Dahlman – Female, Caucasian, Senior, Rural
Carl Donovan – Male, Caucasian, LGBT, Disabled
B. Media Outlets to be Contacted Regarding the Delegate Selection
Process
Media Outlets to be Contacted Regarding the Delegate Selection Process
Major Daily Newspapers, Radio and Television Station
Beaverhead County Dillon Tribune
KDBM-AM/FM
Chouteau County
Big Horn County
Big Horn County News
Custer County
Blaine County
Chinook Opinion
The Harlem News
The River Press
The Mountaineer
Mile’s City Star
KATL-AM
KMTA-AM/KMCM-FM
KYUS-TV
Broadwater County The Townsend Star
Daniels County
Daniels County Leader
KCGM-FM
Carbon County
The Record
Carbon County News
KRBN-AM
Dawson County
Carter County
The Ekalaka Eagle
Ranger-Review
KXGN-TV
KDZN-FM
KGLE-AM
KXGN-AM
Cascade County
Great Falls Tribune
High Plaines Warrior
KFBB-TV
KRTV-TV
KTGF-TV
KXGF-AM/KAAK-FM
KEIN-AM/KLFM-FM
KMON-AM/FM
KQDI-AM/FM
The Ag Almanac
The Eagle
Cascade Courier
Deer Lodge County Anaconda Leader
KGLM-FM
Fallon County
Fallon County Times
KFLN-A
Fergus County
Lewistown News-Argus
KLCM-FM
KXLO-AM
Page 36
Flathead County
Hungry Horse News
The Daily Interlake
KCFW-TV
KALS-FM
Bigfork Eagle
KGEZ-FM
KOFI-AM/FM
Kalispell News
KJJR-AM/KBBZ-FM
Whitefish Pilot
Gallatin County
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Montana Newspapers Assoc.
KCTZ-TV
KUSM-TV
KBMN-AM
KBOZ-AM/FM
KGLT-FM
KUUB-AM/FM
KYBS-FM
High Country Independent Press
Three Forks Herald
KGVW-AM/FM
KWYS-AM
The West Yellowstone News
Lone Peak Lookout
Glacier County
Glacier-Reporter
Cut Bank Pioneer Press
Western Breeze
Granite County
The Philipsburg Mail
Hill County
The Havre Daily News
Judith Basin County Judith Basin Press
Jefferson County
Lake County
Boulder Monitor
Whitehall Ledger
Lake County Leader
KERR-AM
KQRK-FM
Lewis & Clark Co.
Independent Record
Montana Magazine
KTVH-TV
KBLL-AM/FM
KCAP-AM/FM
KHKR-AM/FM
KMTX-AM/FM
Associated Press
Montana Broadcasters Assoc.
Liberty County
Liberty County News
Lincoln County
Tobacco Valley News
The Western News
KLCBAM/KTNY-FM
Meagher County
Meagher County News
Mineral County
Mineral Independent
Missoula County
The Missoulian
The Missoula Independent
Seeley Swan Pathfinder
KECI-TV
KPAX-TV
KTMF-TV
KGRZ-TV
KGVO-AM
KLCY-AM/KYSS-FM
KMSO-FM
KUFM-FM
KYLT-AM/KZQQ-FM
KOJM-AM/KPQX-F
KXEI-FM
Musselshell County Roundup Record
Tribune & Winnett Times
Park County
Livingston Enterprise
KPRK-AM
Phillips County
Phillips County News
KMMR-FM
Pondera County
Independent-Observer
The Valierian
The Prairie Star
Powell County
KDRG-AM/KDRF-FM
Page 37
Prairie County
The Terry Tribune
Sweet Grass County
Ravalli County
Ravalli Republic
The Bitterroot Star
KLYQ-AM/KBMG-AM
Richland County
Sidney Herald-Leader
Roosevelt County
Culbertson Searchlight
KTYZ-AM/KTYZ-FM
Rosebud County
The Independent-Enterprise
KIKC-AM/FM
The Big Timber Pioneer
Teton County
Choteau Acantha
Fairfield Sun Times
Toole County
Shelby Promoter
KSEN-AM/KZIN-FM
Treasure County
Hysham Echo
Valley County
Glasgow Courier
KLTZ-AM/KLAN-FM
Wibaux County The Wibaux Pioneer-Gazette
Sanders County
Clark Fork Valley Press
The Plainsman
Sanders County Ledger
Sheridan County
Plentywood Herald
KATQ-AM/FM
Silver Bow County
Montana Standard
KTVM-TV
KXLF-TV
KBOW-AM/KOPR-FM
KJLF-FM
KMSM-FM
KXTL-AM/KQUY-FM
The Butte Weekly
Stillwater County
Stillwater County News
Yellowstone County The Billings Gazette
The Billings Times
The Outpost
Big Sky Business Journal
KOUS-TV
KTVQ-TV
KULR-TV
KBLG-AM/KRKK-FM
KCTR-AM/FM
KEMC-FM
KGHL-AM/KDIX-FM
KOHZ-FM
KURL-AM
KUUS-AM/KZLS-FM
KYYZ-FM
KKUL-AM/FM
Montana Ag Network
Laurel Outlook
Constituency and Specialty Media Outlets and Targeted Groups:
Tribal Newspapers & Newsletters:
Glacier Reporter, Browning
Crow Tribal News, Crow Agency
Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, Havre
Northern Cheyenne Newsletter, Lame Deer
Char-Koosta News, Flathead Agency
Youth Newspapers:
MSU Exponent
UM Kaimin
Other Constituency Newsletters:
Montana Human Rights Network
AFL-CIO
Montana Farmers Union
Montana Seniors Citizens Association
Page 38
Statement from Chair Certifying Adoption of Plan
I certify that the Montana Democratic State Central Committee, through their authority under Rule 4,
Section C.1 of the Rules of the Democratic Party of the State of Montana, has adopted the proposed
Delegate Selection Plan after completion of a thirty day comment period.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
Page 39
Page 40
Statement from Chair Certifying Plan Placed on MDP Website
I certify that the Montana Democratic Party placed the proposed Delegate Selection Plan, including all
attachments and appendices, on the State Party website during the thirty day public comment period
from March 27th through April 26th.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
Page 41
Statement from Chair Certifying Compliance with Rule 1.C
I certify that the Montana Democratic Party has complied with Rule 1.C, which requires a thirty day
comment period to solicit feedback on Montana’s Delegate Selection Plan, Affirmative Action Plan and
Inclusion Program prior to their adoption. The thirty day comment period ran from March 27th through
April 26th. All written public comments have been submitted to the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
___________________________________________________________________________________
__
From: Montana Democrats <delegateselection@montanademocrats.org>
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Subject: Feedback on Presidential Delegate Selection Plan
To:
Dear Montana Democratic State Central Committee Members,
As we gear up for 2016, we need your help participating in the drafting of our 2016 Presidential Delegate
Selection Plan. The Montana Democratic Party’s Delegate Selection Plan, which includes an Affirmative Action,
Outreach and Inclusion Plan, will govern the process by which the Montana Democratic Party selects delegates
to attend the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA in July 2016. While much of the plan is
guided by rules set forth by the Democratic National Committee, each state is required to draft their own unique
plan, and we want all Montana Democrats involved in this process.
Today marks the beginning of a 30-day public comment period to solicit feedback on our draft Delegate
Selection Plan. The plan is available on the Montana Democratic Party website and can be accessed directly
from this e-mail using the following link: http://www.montanademocrats.org/Delegate_Selection
Please take some time to review the draft plan and send along your feedback. All public comments can be sent
by e-mail or mail to:
E-mail: delegateselection@montanademocrats.org
Mail:
Montana Democratic Party
c/o Delegate Selection Plan Committee
P.O. Box 802
Helena, MT 59624
The 30-day public comment period will end on April 26th. All public comments will be reviewed and may be
incorporated into the plan that is ultimately adopted by the Montana Democratic State Central Committee in early
May. The Democratic National Committee requires that our approved plan be submitted to the DNC Rules and
Bylaws Committee by May 4th.
Thank you for your involvement in this process. We look forward to hearing from you.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
Page 42
Copies of Public Comments
Page 43
Page 44
Montana Democratic Party * 2016 Delegate Selection Convention
Declaration of Candidacy
For Pledged National Convention Delegate
I, _________________________, hereby certify that I am a registered Montana voter and a Democrat, and
declare my candidacy as a pledged delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention in support of (check
one):
_________________
_________________
___ No Preference
as the Democratic nominee for President, and I pledge that I will in good conscience reflect the sentiments of
those who elected me. I further pledge that, if elected, I will not publicly support or campaign for any other
candidate for President or Vice-President other than the nominees of the Democratic National Convention. I
understand that the candidate I support or his/her representative may choose to disallow in writing my candidacy
for national delegate.
Signed this _________ day of June, 2016
X________________________________________
Name (please print)_______________________________________
Address ________________________________________________
City/Zip________________________________________________
Phone ___________________(home)_____________________(cell)
E-mail _________________________________________________
I am filing for the position(s) checked below (more than one may be marked):
Position
___ Western District Delegate (No Alternate Position)
___ Eastern District Delegate (No Alternate Position)
Qualifications
Resident of Western District
Resident of Eastern District
___ Party Leader/Elected Official Delegate (No Alternate Position)
Hold any elected position in state or county
Democratic Party or any elected office as a
Democrat
___ At-Large Delegate*_____At-Large Alternate
Resident of Montana
*If I do not win as a Delegate, ____ I Do (Check one) wish to run as an Alternate.
____ I Do Not
Important Deadlines:
Candidates for District-Level, PLEO or At-Large positions must file with the Montana Democratic Party. Fax this form to Party
Headquarters (406) 442-9534 and call to confirm (406) 442-9520, or deliver to Party Headquarters at 303 N Ewing, Helena. DistrictLevel Candidates must file by 5 PM, Friday, June 10th. PLEO Candidates must file within one half hour after the election of DistrictLevel Delegates on June 11th. At-Large Delegates must file within one half hour after the election of the PLEO Delegates on June
11th.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
___ Received by the deadline by_________________________________________________________
___ Approved by the Presidential Representative by _________________________________________
Page 45
Democratic Affirmation Statement
(must be filled out to vote at the convention)
I, _______________________ (please print), hereby affirm that I am qualified to vote in
the Presidential Delegate Selection Convention for ____________________________
County on this day, Thursday, June 9th, 2016, to elect this county’s delegates to the
Montana Democratic Party’s Presidential Nominating Convention on Saturday,
June 11th, 2016. I affirm by my signature that I meet the following criteria:
1. I publicly acknowledge my support for the Democratic Party.
2. I am a registered voter of the state of Montana.
3. I will vote in only one county’s convention.
I will vote in the caucus of and pledge my support for (check one):
(before checking one of these boxes, make sure your county will have delegates for your preferred candidate or “no
preference”)
__________________
___ No Preference
__________________
Signed this ___th day of June 2016
________________________
(Signature)
________________________________________________________________________
Street
City
Zip
________________________________________________________________________
Phone
Cell
E-mail
Page 46
Page 47
Statement from Chair Outlining Data & Source Used for Affirmative Action Goals
In accordance with Rules 5.C, 6.A, and 7, the Montana Delegate Selection Plan seeks to include groups
historically under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs by virtue of race, ethnicity, age, sexual
orientation, gender identity and disability. The Montana Democratic Party will implement an
affirmative action program with specific goals aimed at full inclusion of these historically underrepresented groups.
Because exit polling is extremely limited in Montana, the numerical goals set forth in the Affirmative
Action section of the Montana Delegate Selection Plan utilize a combination of voting age populations
according to 2010 Census Data, Montana Secretary of State 2012 turnout statistics, and national exit
polling conducted in 2012 by the Edison Media Research for the the National Election Pool and by the
New York Times for voting strength within the Democratic Party.
To establish each group’s percentage within the Democratic electorate, the percentage of the Montana
voting age population or Montana turnout, if available, was multiplied by the voting strength within the
Democratic Party according to national exit polls. Each group’s percentage within the Democratic
electorate was then multiplied by the total number of delegates to establish numerical goals for our
National Convention delegation.
Every effort was made to find Montana exit polls with information on these minority groups, but in the
absence of this information, the most accurate population figures for Montana had to be used along
with national exit polls that indicate how strongly each group votes Democratic as a whole.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
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Statement from Chair Certifying the Affirmative Action Committee Composition Complies with
Rules 5.C, 6.A & 7
I certify that the Montana Democratic Party’s Affirmative Action Committee composition complies
with Rules 5.C, 6.A, and 7. The members of the Affirmative Action Committee are isted below with
their relevant demographic data and contact information. The Committee includes members of groups
historically under-represented in Democratic Party affairs by virute of race, ethnicity, age, sexual
orientation and disability. This information was also submitted to the DNC Rules & Bylaws
Committee in March.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
______________________________________________________________________________
Montana Democratic Party Affirmative Action Committee
Chairwoman: Stacey Otterstrom – Female, Native American-Little Shell Chippewa, Youth
542 Twilight St, Helena, MT 59601
(406) 945-1487; staceyotterstrom@gmail.com
Bryce Bennett - Male, Caucasian, Youth, LGBT
118 W Alder St Unit 306, Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 546-3629; brycebennett1@gmail.com
Jorge Quintana – Male, Hispanic
102 S Beattie St, Helena, MT 59601
(406) 431-7718; quintanaj@outlook.com
Jean Lemire Dahlman – Female, Caucasian, Senior, Rural
3335 Old Hwy 10 Rd, Forsyth, MT 59327
(406) 351-9921; lemiredahlman@rangeweb.net
Carl Donovan – Male, Caucasian, LGBT, Disabled
th
1509 13 Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 750-2195; cjdd72@charter.net
Page 49
Page 50
RULES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
Revised July 12th, 2013
Revised July 12th, 2013
PREAMBLE
SECTION A: MISSION, TAX STATUS & LOCATION
1. Mission: The Montana Democratic Party recruits, trains and elects Democrats to local, statewide and
federal office to ensure a government of the people, by the people, and for the people of Montana.
2. Tax Status: The Montana Democratic Party is a 527 Political Non-Profit in the State of Montana.
The Montana Democratic Party adheres and follows all rules and regulations of the State of Montana
and the United States Federal Government.
3. Location: The headquarters of the Montana Democratic Party is located at 303 North Ewing Street,
Helena, MT. The location of this entity is determined by the Executive Board. Additional office
locations may be determined by the Executive Director.
SECTION B: STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION
1. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party are open to all members of the Democratic
Party of Montana regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, religion, ethnic identity,
economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or philosophical persuasion. Members of the
Democratic Party are defined as any individuals who are supportive of the Democratic Party’s mission
and values, without test of membership or oath, and are in good standing with the organization. All
members of the Democratic Party of Montana shall be encouraged to participate in party affairs.
2. The time and place for all meetings of the Democratic Party of Montana on all levels shall be
publicized fully and in such manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings
shall be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested
persons. Specific notice requirements and timelines are listed throughout the document under their
appropriate headings.
3. The Democratic Party of Montana shall publicize a complete description of the qualifications for and
the procedures to elect all officers of the Montana State Democratic Party. Such publication should be
done in a timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed
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position will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office.
4. The Montana State Central Committee and every county central committee are encouraged to
conduct outreach to expand membership, register new voters and engage in other field activities that
advance the mission of the Democratic Party.
5. Use of the term “Executive Board district” in these rules, including Montana's Presidential Delegate
Selection Plan, means the allocation of Montana's counties in the following manner:
Western District: Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Glacier, Granite, Jefferson,
Lake, Lewis & Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders
and Silver Bow Counties
Eastern District: Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels,
Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Gallatin, Garfield, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Liberty, McCone,
Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt,
Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux
and Yellowstone Counties
RULE 1 MINORITY INCLUSIVITY
1. It shall be the duty of all delegate selection conventions and all Party officers at every level, to
encourage persons from all income levels, young people, women, persons of minority races or
ethnicities, senior citizens, LGBT persons, and other under-represented and minority groups to
participate in and seek selection as delegates to Party conventions and as members of Party committees.
2. The Montana Democratic State Central Committee shall adopt an affirmative action plan to ensure
equal participation in Party affairs, including delegate selection, in keeping with State Party rules and
rules adopted by the Democratic National Committee. When adopted, such plan is fully enforceable as
a rule of the Montana Democratic Party.
RULE 2 CITY-COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEES
SECTION A: STRUCTURE & TERMS OF A CITY-COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE
1. The city, county, and Montana State Democratic Central Committees shall be organized as provided
in the laws of Montana and in these rules.
2. In each county of the state there is a Democratic county central committee which consists of the duly
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elected or appointed precinct committeemen and committeewomen of each precinct.
3. Precinct committeemen and committeewomen hold such position for terms of two years from the
date of their election or in the case of appointment, until the next regularly scheduled election.
4. Those committeemen and committeewomen who reside within the limits of any incorporated city or
town shall constitute ex-officio the city central committee and shall have the same power and
jurisdiction as to the Democratic Party in such city affairs as the county central committee has in
county matters, except to fill vacancies as provided in Rules 7, 13, 14, 15 and 16.
SECTION B: COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE CONVENTIONS & ELECTIONS
1. The county central committee shall meet in county convention between April 15 and May 31 of each
odd-numbered year and elect the following officers:
a) a county chair and vice chair, one of whom shall be a woman, and one of whom shall be a
man;
b) a state committeeman and a state committeewoman;
c) four state central committee alternates, two of whom shall be women and two of whom shall
be men. These officers serve as alternates to the chair or vice chair, or state committeeman or
woman. State central committee alternates shall replace members of the same sex whenever
possible. The county convention shall designate first and second alternates;
d) a secretary and a treasurer.
2. Only precinct committeemen, precinct committeewomen, and current county central committee
officers may vote for officers at the county convention. Officers are not required to be precinct
committeemen or precinct committeewomen. The officers elected by the county convention shall
constitute the executive committee of the county central committee and are charged with the execution
of the county party's policies and programs between meetings of the full committee. They shall be
entitled to full voting privileges at all other meetings of the county central committee.
3. Appointed precinct committeemen and committeewomen shall have the same rights, privileges,
duties and responsibilities as elected precinct committeemen and committeewomen.
SECTION C: DCCC VOTING RIGHTS
1. The county central committee may not adopt any rules or regulations that conflict with the laws of
Montana, the rules of the Montana Democratic Party or the rules of the national Democratic Party.
RULE 3 CHARTERED ORGANIZATIONS
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SECTION A: STRUCTURE, REQUIREMENTS & TERMS
1. The Montana Democratic Party seeks to engage constituency chartered member organizations as
statewide partners that will be exclusively affiliated with the Montana Democratic Party. Groups
interested in seeking chartered membership status must adhere to the rules of the Montana Democratic
Party and must be in good standing with the organization.
SECTION B: APPLICATION & APPROVAL
1. Interested organizations must receive a 2/3 vote from the Executive Board of the Montana
Democratic Party. Organizations seeking charter status must provide an adopted constitution approved
by the board of directors of the entity applying for charter status. The chartered organization must
provide the required charter constitution in the MDP Executive Board packet a minimum of ten days in
advance of the Executive Board vote.
2. Terms for chartered organizations will be two years. Chartered organizations must meet
participation, attendance and other Party rules requirements to maintain charter status.
SECTION C: REMOVAL OF A CHARTERED ORGANIZATION
1. The Montana Democratic Party may remove a chartered organization with a 2/3 vote of the
Executive Board. Chartered organizations may be removed at any time.
SECTION D: APPROVED CHARTERED ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Chartered organization presidents (or in their absence, their respective vice presidents) are members
of the State Central Committee. They are not members of the Executive Board but are encouraged to
run for Executive Board seats.
2. Chartered organizations will be granted one voting member at the Officers Convention and five
voting members from each Executive Board district at the Platform Convention. Chartered
organizations shall present any nominations for Platform Convention to the State Executive Board for
verification that such nominations were properly made under the rules of respective chartered
organizations.
RULE 4 STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
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SECTION A: MEMBERS OF THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
1. The Montana Democratic State Central Committee consists of:
a) all voting members of the State Party Executive Board, as defined in Rule 6;
b) the county chair and vice chair of each county, or, in their absence, the state central
committee alternates;
c) the state committeeman and state committeewoman from each county, or, in their absence,
the state central committee alternates;
d) the president (or, if absent, the vice president) of any organization chartered by the Montana
Democratic Party; and
e) Democrats holding the positions of Lieutenant Governor, Clerk of the Supreme Court or
Public Service Commissioner.
SECTION B: OFFICERS OF THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
1. The officers of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee are the State Chair, Vice Chair,
National Committee Members, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Director.
2. The election procedures for officers of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee are
provided in Rule 8. The selection process for an Executive Director is provided in Rule 5.
3. It is the duty of all officers to support the platform adopted at the Platform Convention and the
Democratic Party nominees who support the Democratic platform. The specific duties of the Party's
officers include:
a) State Chair: The State Chair shall

issue calls for and preside at all meetings and conventions of the State Central
Committee and the Executive Board;

act as a resource for Democratic Party members, organizations, political candidates and
campaigns;

raise funds for the State Democratic Party;

serve as a spokesperson on issues with the advice of the Executive Board;

work with the Treasurer and Executive Director to oversee all Board-level finances;

ensure decisions of the Executive Board are completed;

appoint committees on finance, rules, and personnel;

appoint other committees as needed; and
Page 55

perform such other duties as the Executive Board may assign.

The State Chair shall be paid a monthly stipend in recognition of the time and effort
required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. This stipend will be set and
approved by the State Executive Board.
b) State Vice Chair: The State Vice Chair shall

preside at meetings in the absence of the State Chair, or where action by the Chair would
constitute a conflict of interest;

assist the chair in undertaking the responsibilities of the Chair;

assist the Chair and Executive Director in raising funds for the State Democratic Party;
and

perform such other duties as the Executive Board may assign.
c) Secretary: The Secretary shall

take, distribute and maintain minutes of meetings of the Executive Board;

work with the Executive Director and Chair to prepare agendas for Executive Board
meetings;

work with the Executive Director and Chair to ensure proper notice be made available in
compliance with these rules; and

perform such other duties as the Executive Board may assign.
d) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall

ensure the Executive Board is meeting fiduciary responsibilities;

be responsible for accurate reporting required by federal and state governments;

serve as Chair of the Finance Committee; and

perform such other duties as the Executive Board may assign.
SECTION C: STRUCTURE, TERMS & NOTICE
1. The Montana Democratic State Central Committee is the permanent party authority in the State of
Montana. The committee is authorized to adopt and promulgate all necessary rules for the conduct of
party affairs, including a Presidential Delegate Selection Plan.
2. Meetings of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee may be called by the Chair, the
Executive Board, or 20% of the State Central Committee. Members of the State Central Committee
shall be notified at least 10 days prior to State Central Committee meetings.
3. At any meeting of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee, 20% shall constitute a quorum.
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RULE 5 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SECTION A: HIRING & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
1. The Executive Board shall, in its sole discretion, employ an executive director at such rate of
compensation as it shall determine necessary.
2. The contract of employment shall be in writing, shall embody all of the terms and conditions of
employment, and shall be approved by the Personnel Committee and ratified by the Executive Board.
a) Selection Process: An opening in the position of the Executive Director shall be advertised
by the State Chair. Applicants shall be considered by the Personnel Committee. The Personnel
Committee shall submit a list of approved candidates to the Executive Board, in priority order.
The Executive Board shall approve or disapprove the nomination with a majority vote. If the
Executive Board approves the nomination, the nominated person shall be offered the position of
Executive Director.
b) Dismissal Process: An executive director who has been appointed and ratified may be
dismissed by a 2/3 vote of the total membership of the State Executive Board at a special
meeting called on 15 days written notice. The notice shall contain the charges proffered and be
signed by the Chair and not less than 25 percent of the members of the Executive Board. Prior
to the vote, the accused shall be given a full hearing and the opportunity to face any accusers.
SECTION B: EX-OFFICIO EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
1. The Executive Director shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the State Central
Committee and Executive Board; however, she or he is not authorized to be present in any executive
session without specific approval of the body.
SECTION C: OPERATIONS, FINANCES & MANAGER OF STAFF
1. The Executive Director shall provide overall managerial direction and leadership to the staff of the
Montana Democratic Party and shall be responsible for the day-to-day administrative operations of the
corporation.
2. The Executive Director shall obtain or provide expertise as is necessary to collect monies and keep
accurate books of account to fulfill legal and political requirements, work with the Treasurer, Finance
Committee and Chair to submit quarterly financial reports to the Executive Board, and inform the
Executive Board of the state of the organization's financial health.
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3. The Executive Director will comply with all adopted financial controls and policies per the
Executive Board.
SECTION D: AUTHORITY & ACCOUNTABILITY
1. The Executive Director shall be accountable and report to the Executive Board and shall assume
such responsibilities and perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chair or the Executive Board,
but not by individual members of the Board.
2) The Executive Director may hire additional staff as necessary to achieve the goals of the
organization. The Executive Director shall have power to hire, oversee, and fire additional staff within
policies outlined by the Executive Board.
3) The Executive Board shall create a Personnel Committee responsible for providing guidance and
oversight in staff policy and staff grievances.
RULE 6 EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION A: ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
1. The policies and programs of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee will be directed and
conducted by the Executive Board according to these rules and the Montana Democratic State Central
Committee.
SECTION B: MEETINGS & NOTICE
1. The Executive Board shall hold regular meetings at least four times a year. Meetings may be called
by the State Chair or by any five members of the Executive Board.
2. Members of the Executive Board shall be notified at least 10 days prior to Executive Board
meetings.
3. A quorum shall consist of six members of the Board.
SECTION C: MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
1. Members of the Executive Board are:
a) the State Chair and State Vice Chair;
b) the immediate past State Chair and immediate past State Vice Chair (a person holds one of
these offices if he or she (1) is the person who most recently served as State Chair or Vice Chair
in the preceding two years, and (2) does not hold another office entitled to vote, has not been
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removed from office pursuant to Rules 6 or 7, and did not resign the office of State Chair or
Vice Chair);
c) the Treasurer and Secretary;
d) the National Committee Members;
e) four district chairs, consisting of one male and one female county central committee chair or
vice chair from each Executive Board district;
f) eight district members, consisting of two men and two women from each Executive Board
district;
g) Democratic legislators holding the positions of Speaker of the House, President of the
Senate, and Majority Leader of the House and Senate; or the Minority Leader and Whip of the
House and Senate;
h) Democrats holding the offices of Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State
Auditor and Superintendent of Public Instruction; and
i) The Montana Democratic members of the United States Senate and United States Congress.
j) The officials enumerated in (h) and (i) may designate a representative to act in their absence.
k) In addition, the Executive Director shall be a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Executive
Board.
SECTION D: COMMITTEES
1. The three standing committees of the Executive Board are Finance, Personnel and Rules.
a) Finance Committee: The Treasurer of the State Central Committee shall serve as the Chair
of the Finance Committee. The State Chair shall appoint other members to the committee.
b) Personnel Committee: The State Chair shall serve as the Chair of the Personnel
Committee. She or he shall appoint six additional Executive Board members to the Personnel
Committee, three of which must be Democratic incumbents holding state or federal elective
offices (or their designated representatives).
c) Rules Committee: The State Chair shall appoint a Rules Committee.
2. The State Chair shall appoint ad hoc committees as needed.
SECTION E: REMOVAL FOR ABSENCE
1. Any executive committee member who fails to attend any three successive meetings of the Executive
Board, after proper notice being given of those meetings, shall be dropped from membership on the
Executive Board, unless a satisfactory excuse is provided and accepted by a majority vote of the
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Executive Board.
2.This does not apply to members listed in Rule 6, Section C, #1(g), (h), (i), or (j).
RULE 7 VACANCIES & REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
SECTION A: VACANCIES
1. A vacancy exists whenever a precinct committeeman or woman, officer or member dies, resigns,
becomes permanently incapacitated or fails to maintain the qualifications of the office. A vacancy also
exists whenever the State Chair, State Vice Chair, or any permanent, paid employee of the Montana
Democratic Party becomes a candidate for or holds any state or national office, excluding the office of
state legislator.
2. Unless specified otherwise in this rule, or in law, vacancies on any committee or board shall be filled
by election by members of such committee.
3. Vacant positions shall be filled as follows:
a) Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen: Remaining members of the county
central committee shall elect a precinct resident to fill the vacancy.
b) Officers of City or County Central Committees: Vacant seats for officers not filled by an
appropriate alternate already provided in these rules shall be filled by a person having the
necessary qualifications for the vacant seat and shall be elected by the county central
committee, except as provided in Rule 7, Section A, #3(e).
c) Executive Board Members: If the State Chair position becomes vacant, the State Vice Chair
shall become Chair. Vacancies in the positions of State Vice Chair or board members, including
National Committee Members, shall be filled by a vote of the Executive Board, subject to the
notice requirements in Rule 6, Section B, #2. Nominations must be made by Board members,
and candidates for vacancies must meet the same qualifications as the person formerly
occupying the position. Election shall be by majority vote of the board members present and
voting.
d) Immediate Past State Chair & Vice Chair: Vacancies in the position of immediate past
State Chair and immediate past State Vice Chair shall not be filled.
e) No Established Central Committee: If there are no elected or appointed precinct committee
persons serving in a county, the State Chair shall appoint, with the approval of a majority of the
Executive Board, county central committee officers to form a new committee. The appointed
officers, who must be residents of the county, may then fill vacant precinct positions as
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provided in Rule 7, Section A, #3(a). The appointed officers shall serve until the next county
convention.
SECTION B: REMOVAL
1. Members of the Executive Board, except the National Committeeman and Committeewoman, may
be removed from office for cause by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board at a special meeting called on
15 days written notice. The notice shall contain the charges proffered and be signed by no less than
25% of the members of the Executive Board. Prior to the vote, the accused shall be given a full hearing
and the opportunity to face any accusers.
2. City or county central committee officers may be removed from office according to rules established
by each county central committee, or in the absence of county rules, by a 2/3 vote of the total
membership of the committee.
RULE 8 CONVENTIONS
SECTION A: STATE PLATFORM CONVENTION
1. Date: The State Chair shall call the Platform Convention after the primary election and no later than
September 15 in even-numbered years to formulate the state platform of the Democratic Party and
perform such other business as may properly be brought before such a meeting.
2. Delegates:
a) Delegates to the State Platform Convention shall include the Montana Democratic State
Central Committee, the Democratic nominees for all state elective offices, the United States
Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and both Democratic incumbents and
nominees for the Montana Legislature.
b) Organizations that are chartered by the Montana Democratic Party are also entitled to five
delegates from each Executive Board district. Each chartered organization shall nominate
delegates to be elected at the Platform Convention. Prior to the Platform Convention, chartered
organizations shall present any nominations to the State Executive Board for verification that
such nominations were properly made under the rules of the respective chartered organization.
c) Persons serving as delegates may hold only one delegate position. Persons eligible to hold
more than one delegate position must designate the position for which they desire to serve as a
delegate. Vacant positions may be filled by an eligible alternate.
3. Quorum: At the State Platform Convention, 40% of the delegates eligible to attend and vote shall
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constitute a quorum.
SECTION B: STATE OFFICERS CONVENTION
1. Date: The State Chair shall call the State Officers Convention between July 1 and October 31 of
each odd numbered year to elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary of the State Central
Committee and members of the Executive Board.
2. Delegates: Delegates to the State Officers Convention shall include all members of the Montana
Democratic State Central Committee and Democratic incumbents of the Montana Legislature.
3. Quorum: At the State Officer Convention, 40% of the delegates eligible to attend and vote shall
constitute a quorum.
4. Terms of State Officers: Officers and Executive Board members shall hold office for a term of two
years or until a successor is elected.
SECTION C: NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELECTIONS
1. Election Procedure:
a) At each state convention to elect delegates to a national Presidential Nomination
Convention, a number of National Committeemen and National Committeewomen, as
determined by the Democratic National Committee, shall be elected.
b) The persons eligible to vote for these officers and the manner of their election, shall be as
provided in Rule 8, Section B.
c) The State Chair shall file the names of the National Committeemen and National
Committeewomen with the Democratic National Committee no later than five days from the
date of their selection.
2. Terms of National Committee Members: The National Committeeman and National
Committeewoman shall serve four-year terms commencing on the day the national convention adjourns
and terminating on the day the next national convention adjourns.
SECTION D: CONVENTION RULES
1. Registration: For both the Platform Convention and the Officers Convention, delegates must
register according to procedures established by the State Chair.
2. Rules: All matters pertaining to any state convention not provided for by law or these rules shall be
governed by rules adopted by such conventions.
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RULE 9 PROXIES
1. No proxy vote will be recognized at any county, city, district, or state Democratic meeting.
RULE 10 PRE-PRIMARY & CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT POLICY
1. During a statewide or federal election campaign, the Montana State Democratic Party shall expend
no funds and provide no tactical support for any candidate except that the Executive Board may by 2/3
vote authorize the expenditure of funds and tactical support for proven incumbents who have
consistently demonstrated support of the Party platform and issues for incumbents who are running
unopposed.
2. Absent Executive Board support of a proven statewide or federal incumbent, the State Chair, Vice
Chair, Executive Director and paid party staff shall maintain neutrality throughout any contested
primary.
3. The Executive Board may expend Party funds during a primary campaign for the entertainment of
visiting dignitaries from outside the state who may have been invited to appear in the state at the
request of the State Central Committee or the Executive Board.
4. The State Chair, Vice Chair, Executive Director and paid staff of the Montana Democratic Party shall
resign these positions if they file to run for elective office in a contested primary.
RULE 11 RULES OF ORDER
1. "Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR)," shall govern the proceedings of all meetings
existing under these rules, except as provided in Rule 8, Section D, #2, for all meetings convening after
September 2011.
RULE 12 AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES
1. Voting: These rules may be amended at any meeting of the Montana Democratic State Central
Committee by a 2/3 vote of those present.
2. Notice: Fifteen days written notice of the proposed change shall be given to Montana Democratic
State Central Committee members. Notices may be delivered by email.
3. Quorum: At any meeting of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee, 20% shall
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constitute a quorum.
RULE 13 PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACANCY FOR A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
FOR AN OFFICE WITHIN ONE COUNTY
1. Vacancies occurring among Democratic candidates that by law are to be filled by action of the
county central committee shall be filled according to the provisions of this rule insofar as they do not
conflict with state law.
2. Appointment of a person to fill the vacancy shall be by a majority vote of the precinct committeemen
and committeewomen present at a meeting called for that purpose and publicized throughout the
county. The county chair shall provide reasonable written or email notice to committee members unless
the deadline for filling the vacancy as determined by the election administrator precludes such notice,
in which case notification by telephone shall be required.
3. At the meeting, nominations of persons qualified to fill the vacancy may be made by precinct
committeemen or committeewomen. Following the close of nominations, an election shall be held with
each precinct committeeman and committeewoman voting for one person. (If more than one vacancy is
to be filled at the meeting, separate votes shall be taken for each vacancy.) The person receiving a
majority of the votes cast shall be reported by the county chair to the election administrator as the party
nominee. If no person receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, the name of the person
receiving the fewest votes shall be stricken from subsequent ballots until one person receives a majority
of the votes cast.
RULE 14 SPECIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION TO FILL A VACANCY FOR A
CANDIDATE FOR A MULTI-COUNTY OFFICE
1. In the event the Democratic Party shall have to nominate a candidate for a multi-county district
office, the procedures for such nomination shall be as provided in this rule.
2. The State Chair shall call a nominating convention. The State Chair or his or her designee shall
preside. The convention shall choose a secretary and may adopt rules for nominating speeches,
candidate presentations and other procedural matters.
3. The precinct committeemen and committeewomen from precincts within the district shall be
delegates to the nominating convention.
4. The State Chair shall issue a convention call to the county chair of each county within the district.
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The call shall be issued so as to provide reasonable notice to the delegates. The call shall include at
least the following:
a) the time, date and place of the nominating convention;
b) a list of the counties and precincts within the district;
c) the procedures for certifying the identity of precinct committeemen and committeewomen
eligible to participate; and
d) the qualifications required of the person to be nominated at the convention.
5. Any delegate may nominate any Democrat meeting the qualifications provided by law for the
vacancy being filled.
6. The delegates shall cast ballots using weighted votes. Each delegate shall cast a weighted vote equal
to one-half the votes cast in his or her precinct for the Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative in
the most recent general election.
7. The person receiving a majority of the total votes cast shall be declared the Party's nominee. If no
person receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, the name of the person receiving the
fewest votes shall be stricken from subsequent ballots until one person receives a majority of the votes
cast.
RULE 15 SPECIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION TO FILL A VACANCY FOR A
CANDIDATE FOR A STATEWIDE OFFICE
1. In the event the Democratic Party shall have to nominate a candidate for statewide office, the
procedures for such nomination shall be as provided in this rule.
2. The State Chair shall call a meeting of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee.
Reasonable written notice of the meeting shall be issued unless deadlines imposed by the Secretary of
State, the laws of Montana, or other authority shall necessitate shorter notice by telephone. The notice
of the meeting shall include:
a) a statement that the purpose of the meeting is to fill a vacancy for the Democratic Party's
candidate for statewide office, and naming the office;
b) the date, time and place of the meeting;
c) the procedures by which the nominee will be chosen at the meeting;
d) the procedures for certifying the election of State Central Committee members not already on
record with the State Chair; and
e) the qualifications required of the person to be nominated at the meeting.
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3. Only members of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee shall be entitled to participate in
the meeting, except that the State Central Committee may adopt rules allowing nominating speeches by
other persons and may agree to hear presentations by candidates for the nomination. Following the
close of nominations, the members of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee shall vote. The
person receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be declared the Party's nominee. If no person
receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, the name of the person receiving the fewest
votes shall be stricken from subsequent ballots until one person receives a majority of the votes cast.
4. The State Chair and Secretary shall sign a certificate of nomination naming the person selected and
shall deliver the original to the Secretary of State.
RULE 16 SUBMISSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN THE
LEGISLATURE OR IN A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1. In the event the Democratic Party shall have to recommend to county commissioners a list of
candidates to fill a vacancy in the legislature, or in the office of county commissioner, as provided by
law, the procedures for compiling such list (and a second list, if needed) shall be as provided in this
rule.
2. Vacancy in a district entirely within one county.
a) following any necessary consultation with the county commissioners, the county chair shall
call a meeting of the county central committee, providing reasonable written or email notice, or
notifying members by telephone if four days written notice cannot be afforded.
b) at the meeting, precinct committeemen and committeewomen shall nominate a minimum of
three persons qualified to serve in the vacant office. Following the close of nominations, each
committeeman and committeewoman shall cast a vote for one of the nominees. The names of
the three persons receiving the most votes shall be certified to the appropriate body by the
county chair as the recommended candidates of the Democratic Party.
3. Vacancy in a district comprising more than one county.
a) following any necessary consultation with the county commissioners, the State Chair shall
call a nominating convention in a convenient location in one of the counties comprising the
district.
b) reasonable written or email notice of the meeting shall be provided to all delegates; notice
by telephone will be required unless at least four days written notice can be provided.
c) precinct committeemen and committeewomen from precincts within the district shall be
delegates to the joint meeting. The State Chair or his or her designee shall preside at the joint
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meeting.
d) delegates shall nominate a minimum of three persons qualified to serve in the vacant office.
e) each delegate shall cast a vote for one of the nominees. The weight of each delegate's vote
shall be equal to one-half the votes received in that precinct at the last election by the person
vacating the office. (The State Chair shall have final authority to assign weighted votes in
instances where precinct lines, or district lines may have changed since the election, or other
circumstances dictate.) Ballots marked with the proper weighted votes shall be distributed by
the presiding officer through a roll call of the counties and their precincts.
f) the names of the three persons receiving the most votes shall be certified to the county
commissioners by the State Chair as the recommended candidates of the Democratic Party.
RULE 17 APPEALS
1. In all cases where application of these rules is contested, the aggrieved party must file a timely,
written protest with the State Chair, Vice Chair, and Executive Director.
2. The State Chair will call on the state Rules Committee to investigate and resolve the conflict. The
Rules Committee's decision is final, unless overruled by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.
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13-1-107. Times for holding primary elections. (1) On the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in June preceding the general election provided for in 13-1-104(1), a primary
election shall be held throughout the state.
(2) On the Tuesday following the second Monday in September preceding the general
election provided for in 13-1-104(2), a primary election, if required, shall be held
throughout the state.
(3) If the general election for a municipality required to hold annual elections is held in
November, as provided in 13-1-104(4), a primary election, if required, shall be held on the
Tuesday following the second Monday in September. In an even-numbered year, the cost of
this election must be paid by the municipality.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 216, L. 1987.
13-10-201. Declaration for nomination -- term limitations. (1) Each candidate in the
primary election, except nonpartisan candidates filing under the provisions of Title 13,
chapter 14, shall file a declaration for nomination with the secretary of state or election
administrator. Except for a candidate who files under 13-38-201, a candidate may not file
for more than one public office. Each candidate for governor shall file a joint declaration for
nomination with a candidate for lieutenant governor.
(2) A declaration for nomination must be filed in the office of:
(a) the secretary of state for placement of a name on the ballot for the presidential
preference primary, a congressional office, a state or district office to be voted for in more
than one county, a member of the legislature, or a judge of the district court;
(b) the election administrator for a county, municipal, precinct, or district office (other
than a member of the legislature or judge of the district court) to be voted for in only one
county.
(3) Each candidate shall sign the declaration and send with it the required filing fee or, in
the case of an indigent candidate, send with it the documents required by 13-10-203. Unless
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filed electronically with the secretary of state, the declaration for nomination must be
acknowledged by an officer empowered to acknowledge signatures or by the officer of the
office at which the filing is made.
(4) The declaration for nomination must include an oath of the candidate that includes
wording substantially as follows: "I hereby affirm that I possess, or will possess within
constitutional and statutory deadlines, the qualifications prescribed by the Montana
constitution and the laws of the United States and the state of Montana." The candidate
affirmation included in this oath is presumed to be valid unless proven otherwise in a court
of law.
(5) The declaration, when filed, is conclusive evidence that the elector is a candidate for
nomination by the elector's party. For a partisan election, an elector may not file a
declaration for more than one party's nomination.
(6) (a) The declaration for nomination must be in the form and contain the information
prescribed by the secretary of state.
(b) A person seeking nomination to the legislature shall provide the secretary of state
with a street address, legal description, or road designation to indicate the person's place of
residence. If a candidate for the legislature changes residence, the candidate shall, within 15
days after the change, notify the secretary of state on a form prescribed by the secretary of
state.
(c) The secretary of state and election administrator shall furnish declaration for
nomination forms to individuals requesting them.
(7) (a) Except as provided in 13-10-211 and subsection (7)(b) of this section, a
candidate's declaration for nomination must be filed no sooner than 135 days before the
election in which the office first appears on the ballot and no later than 5 p.m., 75 days
before the date of the primary election.
(b) For an election held pursuant to 13-1-104(1)(a) or 13-1-107(1) or for a political
subdivision that holds an election on the date of either of those elections, a candidate's
declaration for nomination must be filed no sooner than 145 days before the election in
which the office first appears on the ballot and no later than 5 p.m., 85 days before the date
of the primary election.
(8) A properly completed and signed declaration for nomination form may be sent by
facsimile transmission, electronically mailed, delivered in person, or mailed to the election
administrator or to the secretary of state.
(9) For the purposes of implementing Article IV, section 8, of the Montana constitution,
the secretary of state shall apply the following conditions:
(a) A term of office for an official serving in the office or a candidate seeking the office
is considered to begin on January 1 of the term for which the official is elected or for which
the candidate seeks election and end on December 31 of the term for which the official is
elected or for which the candidate seeks election.
(b) A year is considered to start on January 1 and end on the following December 31.
(c) "Current term", as used in Article IV, section 8, of the Montana constitution, has the
meaning provided in 2-16-214.
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History: (1) thru (5)En. Sec. 59, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 28, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 246, L. 1975; amd.
Sec. 14, Ch. 365, L. 1977; Sec. 23-3304, R.C.M. 1947; (6)En. Sec. 60, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 365, L. 1977;
Sec. 23-3305, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3304(1) thru (4), (8), 23-3305; amd. Sec. 63, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 25,
Ch. 250, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 644, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 74, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 5, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 1, Ch.
40, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 7, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 475, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 586, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 1, Ch.
96, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 292, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 242, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 304, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 13,
Ch. 336, L. 2013.
13-10-403. Form of ballot. The presidential preference ballot shall list all candidates
nominated in accordance with the provisions of this part and shall, in addition, include a
presidential ballot position which shall be designated as "no preference" and a blank writein space.
History: En. 23-3324 by Sec. 3, Ch. 162, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3324; amd. Sec. 81, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 6,
Ch. 644, L. 1987.
13-10-404. Placement of candidate on primary ballot -- methods of
qualification. Before an individual intending to qualify as a presidential candidate may
qualify for placement on the ballot, the individual shall qualify by one or more of the
following methods:
(1) The individual has submitted a declaration for nomination that is signed by the
candidate or an authorized election official to the secretary of state pursuant to 13-10201(2) and has been nominated on petitions with the verified signatures of at least 500
qualified electors. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and content of the
petition.
(2) The individual has submitted a declaration for nomination to the secretary of state
pursuant to 13-10-201, and the secretary of state has determined, by the time that
declarations for nomination are to be filed, that the individual is eligible to receive
payments pursuant to the federal Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act, 26
U.S.C. 9031, et seq.
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History: En. 23-3325 by Sec. 4, Ch. 162, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3325; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 52, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 2,
Ch. 5, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 242, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 336, L. 2013.
13-10-405. Submission and verification of petition. Petitions of nomination for the
presidential preference primary election and the affidavits of circulation required by 13-27302 must be presented to the election administrator of the county in which the signatures
are gathered at least 1 week before the primary election filing deadline prescribed in 13-10201(7)(b). A filing fee is not required. The election administrator shall verify the signatures
in the manner prescribed in 13-27-303 through 13-27-308 and must forward the petitions to
the secretary of state by the filing deadline prescribed in 13-10-201(7)(b).
History: En. 23-3326 by Sec. 5, Ch. 162, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 28, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3326; amd. Sec.
82, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 644, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 390, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 292, L. 2009; amd.
Sec. 25, Ch. 242, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 336, L. 2013.
13-15-502. Composition and meeting of board of state canvassers. Within 27 days
after the election, or sooner if the returns are all received, the state auditor, superintendent
of public instruction, and attorney general shall meet as a board of state canvassers in the
office of the secretary of state and determine the vote. The secretary of state shall serve as
secretary of the board, keep minutes of the meeting of the board, and file them in the
official records of the secretary of state's office.
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History: En. Sec. 186, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4016; amd. Sec. 164, Ch.
571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 59, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 89, L. 2009.
13-27-303. Verification of signatures by county official -- allocating voters following
reapportionment -- duplicate signatures. (1) Except as required by 13-27-104, within 4
weeks after receiving the sheets or sections of a petition, the county official shall check the
names of all signers to verify they are registered electors of the county. In addition, the
official shall randomly select signatures on each sheet or section and compare them with the
signatures of the electors as they appear in the registration records of the office. If all the
randomly selected signatures appear to be genuine, the number of signatures of registered
electors on the sheet or section may be certified to the secretary of state without further
comparison of signatures. If any of the randomly selected signatures do not appear to be
genuine, all signatures on that sheet or section must be compared with the signatures in the
registration records of the office.
(2) For the purpose of allocating the signatures of voters among the several legislative
representative districts of the state as required to certify a petition for a referendum or a call
of a constitutional convention under the provisions of this chapter following the filing of a
districting and apportionment plan under 5-1-111 and before the first gubernatorial election
following the filing of the plan, the new districts must be used with the number of
signatures needed for each legislative representative district being the total votes cast for
governor in the last gubernatorial election divided by the number of legislative
representative districts.
(3) Upon discovery of fraudulent signatures or duplicate signatures of an elector on any
one issue, the election administrator may submit the name of the elector or the petition
circulator, or both, to the county attorney to be investigated under the provisions of 13-27106 and 13-35-207.
History: En. 37-123 by Sec. 9, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-123(3), (4); amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 400, L. 1979; (2)En.
Sec. 1, Ch. 512, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 298, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 374, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 323, L. 2003.
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NOTE ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL PETITION FOR NOMINATION FORM
The 2016 version of the “Presidential Major Party Candidate Declaration for Nomination and Oath of
Candidacy” and “Presidential Major Party Candidate Petition for Nomination” is not available through
the Montana Secretary of State at this time. The 2012 version has been included for reference only.
The Montana Secretary of State will finalize this document and make it available online in June 2015.
It can be accessed online at that time with the following link:
http://sos.mt.gov/Elections/Filing/index.asp, or by calling the Secretary of State at (406) 444-2034.
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