Election administrator to cancel unopposed primary races; commissioners decline to override

Anaconda-Deer Lodge County election administrator Tony Hoffland told commissioners on March 10 that under Montana Code Annotated 13-14-115 he planned to cancel several primary races that had fewer than three filed candidates and no write-in candidates, allowing the remaining candidates to advance directly to the general election.

Hoffland said this year the ballots will not even include a write-in line if no write-in candidates have filed, so leaving the race on the primary ballot could lead to spoiled ballots if voters attempted to write in names. He used Commission District 4 as an example, saying Brian Riley was the only filed candidate in that race.

The chair noted that the election administrator has the legal authority to take this action unless the commission chooses to override it. Commissioners discussed the practical benefits of cancellation — Hoffland framed them as reduced printing costs, less staff time and fewer potential errors — and the commission declined to override the administrator's notice before the certification deadline.

County staff cited the relevant statute in the meeting packet (Montana Code Annotated 13-14-115). The transcript does not show a formal roll-call vote on an override; commissioners indicated there would be no override. The cancellations do not affect the general election, only the primary.