On April 11, the Montana Senate State Administration Committee tabled HB 797, which had earlier passed the House. It moved the presidential primary from June to February.
On April 11, the Montana Senate State Administration Committee tabled HB 797, which had earlier passed the House. It moved the presidential primary from June to February.
There’s still a possibility that the contents of the bill could be merged into other legislation, but at this point it seems unlikely. The main concern was the cost that having a separate presidential primary would entail. And Montana is small enough that we’re unlikely to see much campaign activity here regardless of when the primary is.
And who knows? If it’s looking like one of the parties will have an open convention, it’s possible that somebody might be paying attention.
One-million dollars for a primary for 3 electorial votes is a waste of money. Montana would still have its regualr primary in June. Aside from the two parties paying for their own primary, if Montana moved all elections, including school and party elections to that one date, maybe it could have worked money wise. This bill will stay dead until next time.