Montana State Senator Greg Hertz (R-Polson) has introduced SB 200. It lets candidates for non-partisan office, such as judicial and school board races, list a party affiliation of up to three words, which would appear on the ballot next to their name. Montana does not have registration by party. If this bill passed as written, apparently any partisan label that is no longer than three words would be allowed. The bill does not specify the party name must be the name of a ballot-qualified party.

The bill had a hearing in the Senate State Administration Committee on February 8. The Committee hasn’t acted on the bill yet.