Are you ready for the 2014 elections? In Montana election season basically starts this Thursday, January 9. Since football season is winding down, this will give us something to do.

Officially and according to the Montana Secretary of State’s office, Thursday is the “First day for declarations for nomination to be filed for Primary Election.” In The Western Word terminology it’s the first day to file for office in Montana.

The last day to file is March 10. It should be an interesting 60 days in between. The primary election in Montana is June 3. If you are thinking about running for office, THIS SITE has the information.

By the way, if a candidate has doubts whether to run as a Democrat or Republican and wants to run as an independent, Montana makes it extremely difficult for independent candidates to run for public office. Check out the requirements HERE. You have to gather signatures to get on the ballot – lots of signatures. For U.S. Senator you will need over 17,000 signatures, for U.S. House about 12,000. It’s less for state senator (257) and representative (129), but the mountain is a very high one to climb – probably just as Democrats and Republicans want it to be to protect themselves.

The Cascade County (Great Falls) Democrats are ready to roll. This Thursday they are “holding a press conference for Democratic Candidates running for a Legislative seat or County office this election cycle.” It’s being held at the Great Falls College MSU in the atrium at 12:15 p.m.

If you are a candidate for elective office in Montana, thank you for running. Secondly, follow me on Twitter @TheWesternWord and I will follow you back. I don’t care which way you lean politically. Additionally, you might want to check out my book about running for office HERE.

Let’s have fun!

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