On April 24, the Montana House passed HB 120, the Secretary of State’s omnibus election law bill. It has two ballot access improvements: (1) it moves the independent candidate petition deadline (for office other than President) from March to May; (2) it makes it clear that the law, barring independent candidates from the ballot if they had too close an association with any political party, doesn’t apply to actions taken outside Montana. This has the effect of freeing independent presidential and vice-presidential candidates to get on the ballot, even if they were associated with a party. The old law was used to bar Peter Camejo from being Ralph Nader’s running mate in Montana in 2004, because Camejo had run for Governor of California as a Green in 2003.
But other Independent candidates will be impacted by SB 408 the top two bill. SB 408 also changes some language in HB 120.
In any event, assuming HB 120 passes, it will be in effect for the 2014 election. Even if the voters pass the top-two measure in November 2014, that would have no effect on the November 2014 election itself; it could only take effect in 2016.
If this bill is on it’s way to the governor then it would more then likely get signed. If HB 120 were to go to a conference committee, then in all likely hood it will die.
HB 120 is already through the conference committee.