Resources
The United States of America is a Republic, defined by our Constitution. A structure where authority belongs to citizens who elect individuals from within their community to represent their values. The United States is the first country ever to create sovereignty “of the people”.
However, a republic can not survive without the custody of its citizens.
The Missoula County Republican Central Committee exists to ensure every Conservative in Missoula has a voice and can fulfill their civic obligation. The resources below are organized to help citizens make informed decisions that align with with their ambitions and philosophies, as well as providing context when possible. Informed voters are sovereign citizens.
A Republic
If you can keep it.
The Structure of your government.
01
City Government Roles
The City of Missoula operates under a mayor-council system comprised of one mayor and twelve city council members who oversee six wards; two council members per ward. There is also an assortment of commissions and boards that discuss more granular aspects of city governance such as health, building, police, energy, parks etc.
The Mayor of Missoula serves as the chief executive officer and is responsible for implementing policy, managing city departments and representing Missoula. Missoula holds elections entirely by mail. Mayors are elected for Four year terms.
The City Council is comprised of twelve individuals representing six wards.
City Council members must be qualified electors and reside in the ward they represent. Two council members represent each ward. The City Council uses a system of six standing committees to explore issues in depth. Committee meetings are open to the public, and public comment is taken during the meetings. You can see a map of City Council districts here. Missoula holds elections entirely by mail. City Council members serve a four year term. Elections for city council members are held every two years.
The city of Missoula has three Municipal court Judges, each elected to a specific department (1-3). These judges are responsible for hearings related to summons issued by city police (blue uniform). Municipal Judges are elected in a nonpartisan election every four years during the general election and serve a four year term, all three Municipal judges are up for election every four years.
Missoula county hosts various boards and commissions that meet throughout the week and are focused on subjects such as health, safety, energy, building codes etc. These committees are populated by appointees which are largely responsible for informing and shaping the ordinances and policy’s of the city council and mayor. Most of these committees are comprised of city council members, county commissioners, members of the public and people relevant to the subject at hand.
02
County Government Roles
Missoula County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners. Three elected members who serve six year staggered terms, county commissioner elections are held every other year. These commissioners have Legislative, executive and administrative authority over all county issues except those specifically reserved for other elected officials. For county residents living outside the Missoula city limits, Missoula County provides all local government services. Read more Here.
A Missoula County resident, such as someone living in Lolo or Bonner, is represented solely by the commissioners. All county elected officials serve all city and county residents. All decisions and/or votes must be made in meetings open to the public, with the exception of decisions regarding confidential personnel and legal issues. You can see a map of which commissioner was voted for by which district here. County Commissioners serve six year terms.
The Missoula County Sheriff serves as the chief law enforcement officer responsible for enforcing both state and county laws and statutes. Additionally, the sheriff also fulfills the role of coroner, investigating all unattended deaths or deaths that may be criminally caused. The sheriff is elected every four years.
Montana has twenty two court districts and Missoula is number four, which also includes mineral county. The county has five district court judges, who handle more severe cases such as felony’s and two Justice of the Peace which serve the lower court; handling traffic, misdemeanors, small claims and civil disputes. District Court judges are responsible for presiding over hearings resulting from summons issued by sheriff’s deputy’s or highway patrol officers. District court judges are elected for six year terms, and elections are held every other year during general and mid term elections. Justices of the Peace serve four year terms.
The Superintendent is the face of the school district. They are responsible for the districts success’ and failures. They manage school principles and staff. accommodate for long term planning and budgets. They also have the duty of evaluating, hiring, firing and disciplining principles and assistant principles. Superintendents serve four year terms.
The Missoula County Attorney’s Office serves as legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners, all elected officials of Missoula County, the Health Department, Community and Planning Services and all other county departments. They handle all legal matters from land use to property tax and election issues. The office of the county attorney is also the prosecutor for all felonies and oversees all prosecutors within the fourth district court of Montana. The county attorney serves a four year term.
These are clerical roles for the county, and their responsibilities are:
The primary responsibility of the County Auditor is to examine and investigate claims presented to the county for payment.
The Clerk of District Court is the official keeper of all District Court records for Missoula County.
Missoula County hosts a dizzying number of Boards, Committees, Councils and Special Districts that are intended to inform the decisions of the county board of commissioners. These committees are appointed and volunteer based. The breadth of these groups is too complex to explore in depth here. We would advise you investigate, attend and apply to be involved in community decisions at the ground level.
03
State Government roles
The Montana state government has three distinct branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. The Governor serves as the head of the Executive branch, working alongside the Secretary of State, Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Montana Senate is the upper chamber of the Legislative branch comprised of 50 members elected to serve 4 year terms. The Montana House of Representatives is the lower chamber, consisting of 100 members, elected to two year terms. Together they represent the voters and shape Montana’s laws. The Montana Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and consists of seven elected, non-partisan Supreme Court Justices, who’s responsibility it is to assure your constitutional rights are protected.
The Governor is the chief executive of the state, responsible for administration, policy implementation and managing state agency’s. The Governor is the Commander-in-chief of the Air National guard as well as the Army National Guard. The Governor has the duty to enforce state laws, the power to approve or veto bills, can convene the legislator at any time, as well as grant pardons and reprieves. The Governor is elected every four years.
The Lieutenant Governor acts as Governor in the event of an absence. They preside over the State senate allowing them to influence legislation, cast tie-breaking votes or maintain order in legislative sessions. They can also sit on university boards and head government commissions. The Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket as the Governor.
The Montana Secretary of State oversees multiple separate divisions: Administrative Rules Services and Business Services, Certification and Notaries, as well as Elections and Government Services. The SOS is also the keeper of the state seal, and also serves on the Montana board of Land Commissioners administrating public trust land. The Secretary of State is elected every four years.
Montanas Attorney General oversees legal matters, law enforcement, and various other critical functions. They serve as the chief legal officer of the state, and are responsible for representing and defending Montana’s legal positions. The AG has authority over state lands, resolve conflict inter-agency, provide legal opinions and manage the criminal justice network in the state. The AG is elected for a 4 year term.
the Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction has general supervision over all of Montana’s public schools K-12. ensuring educational standards are met, and policy is implemented. They serve on multiple boards including the Board of Public Education, the State Library Commission, the Land Board, and the Board of Regents for the University System.
The Montana State Auditor is responsible for assuring compliance with Montana’s insurance and securities laws. They license, register, audit, and regulate: Insurance companies and insurance producers, securities issuers, salespeople, broker-dealers, investment advisors, and investment adviser representatives within Montana.The auditor plays a critical role in ensuring compliance, protecting consumers, and maintaining integrity in insurance and securities practices within the state. The State Auditor is elected to serve a 4 year term.
The Montana House of Representatives consists of 100 elected members, who draft and vote on state laws and budget. They convene on odd years between January and May to pass bills, create a budget, and raise (or lower) taxes. The members of the house represent one of the 100 State Districts [second map] within the state of Montana. There are currently 13 House districts within Missoula county. State representatives serve on various committees which inform the decisions the house makes. Citizens are allowed to, and encouraged to attend; it is the “face-to-face participation by citizens in the legislative process”. House Representatives are elected for two year terms every two years.
The Montana Senate is the upper chamber of the Montana Legislature. While they also draft and vote on legislation, budgets, taxes and have their own committees. They have the additional responsibility of confirming gubernatorial appointments and holding impeachment trials. The Montana Senate is comprised of 50 members each representing their a district. There are 7 senate districts associated with Missoula County. State Senators are elected to 4 year terms, half of the state senate is elected every two years.
The Montana Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the State of Montana. The court primarily serves as an appellate court, reviewing decisions made by Montana’s trial courts, ensuring legal proceedings were conducted fairly and that the law was correctly applied. The Montana Supreme Court consists of seven justices, one Chief justice and six Associate Justices who are elected in non partisan popular elections. Each Montana Supreme Court justice serves an eight-year term in a statewide, nonpartisan election. The terms are staggered so that no more than two seats on the court are scheduled for election at the same time. When a sitting justice runs unopposed, voters cast a “yes” or “no” vote as to whether to retain them. In the event of a vacancy, the Governor must appoint a qualified judge to finish the term.
The office of the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court receives appellate paperwork, checks it for compliance with the Court’s rules, and files it with the court or sends it back for correction. The Clerk’s office is also the custodian of the records of Supreme Court cases, ensuring those are available to the public. The Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court is elected every six years.
In Montana, the Public Service Commissioner is a vital state agent responsible for ensuring that ratepayers have continued access to utility services that are affordable, reliable, and sustainable for the long term. The PSC regulates the rates and service quality for various utility companies, including: Investor-owned electric companies, Natural gas providers, Water and wastewater utilities, Legacy telecommunication companies. The PSC is led by a group of commissioners, each representing a specific district within the state of Montana
04
Federal Government
At the federal level, Montanan’s vote for members to represent in both chambers of Congress and the President. The primary role of congress is legislation, budgets, oversight and representing the will of the American people. The US house of representatives currently has 435 representatives, of which Montana contributes two; The US Senate also receives two senators from Montana. Congress determines the quantity of Montana representatives in the process of apportionment, based on figures from the US census (which counts taxpaying citizens, non citizens and illegal immigrants). Montana has relatively little representation, with only four congressional members and therefore four electoral votes for president. The US constitution mandates that each state must receive one representative for the house at a minimum. Each state receives two senators regardless of population. Since 1940, Congress has used the “Equal Proportions Method” to ensure that seats are allocated fairly among the states, which involves a mathematically determined priority listing of states, based on population.
The U.S. President Is the preeminent figure of the Executive branch of the federal government. The president is the only elected official who has a role in all three branches of government. As Chief Executive, the President appoints the heads of 15 executive departments and oversees operations of all federal agencies under their purview; the heads these executive departments constitute the “Presidents Cabinet“. Legislatively, the president signs or vetos bills passed by congress, introduces legislative proposals or helps shape legislation alongside congress. Peripherally, the president can create de-facto laws by enacting executive orders, this could be considered an abuse of privilege by circumventing the legislative process. Judicially, the president (along with the Senate) appoints judges to the U.S. Supreme court as well as District courts and the U.S. Court of appeals. The president has the ability to shape the direction of federal courts based on the appointments they make. As the Commander In Chief, the president is the leader of all branches of the U.S. Armed forces. As the Chief of State, the president serves in a more formal and ceremonial role. While representing America, they function as an ambassador abroad, and a host domestically. As the Head of State, the President will attend events such as memorials, and award ceremonies, as well as official functions such as the State of the Union or the Inauguration. Lastly the President also serves as the head diplomat, negotiating with leaders of other countries, forming foreign policy or signing treaties. The President is elected every four years in a general election and can not serve more that two terms.
The U.S. Senate consists of 100 Senators, two from each state. Their primary role is scrutinizing and passing or denying legislation that has passed the the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate has the exclusive power to confirm U.S. presidential appointments such as federal judges (U.S. District Courts, U.S. Supreme Court), cabinet members who head federal organizations and foreign ambassadors, as well as ratifying international treaties, hosting trials in the case of an impeachment, and serving as another check in the balance of power between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. Much like the House, the senate has various committees that inform their decisions. A Senators term lasts for six years, and elections are held every two years, one-third of the US senate is up for election during every presidential election and mid term.
The US House Of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral system of congress. The house consists of 435 representatives, and the distribution of those members is proportional and relative to the population of state they represent. The role of House members is primarily lawmaking, representing the will of the American people, creating budgets and participating in the impeachment process. Montana has two congressional districts, and two State Representatives. The decisions made by House members are primarily informed by the various committees they attend. US Representatives serve two year terms, and all 435 house seats are up for election during Presidential elections and midterm elections.
The U.S. Supreme court is the highest court in land, and an appellate court responsible for ensuring all decisions made by lesser courts are aligned with the U.S. Constitution. In short, it is the duty of the SCOTUS to restrict government, at any level, from encroaching on the rights of U.S. citizens, based on the context of the U.S. Constitution. The court consists of nine Supreme Court Justices with one Chief Justice. Presidential appointments to the Supreme Court are lifetime appointments, and as such have a dramatic effect on the direction of liberty and justice in America.
In the federal system, 94 district courts are organized into 12 circuits, or regions. Each circuit has its own Court of Appeals that reviews cases decided in U.S. District Courts within the circuit. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit brings the number of federal appellate courts to 13. This court takes cases from across the nation, but only particular types of cases. The appellate courts do not retry cases or hear new evidence. They do not hear witnesses testify. There is no jury. Appellate courts review the procedures and the decisions in the trial court to make sure that the proceedings were fair and that the proper law was applied correctly. Federal circuit courts hear cases involving the constitutionality of a law, cases involving the laws and treaties of the U.S. ambassadors and public ministers, disputes between two or more states, admiralty law, also known as maritime law, and bankruptcy cases.
The nation’s 94 district or trial courts are called U.S. District Courts. District courts resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying legal principles to decide who is right.
Trial courts include the district judge who tries the case and a jury that decides the case. Magistrate judges assist district judges in preparing cases for trial. They may also conduct trials in misdemeanor cases.
There is at least one district court in each state, and the District of Columbia. Each district includes a U.S. bankruptcy court as a unit of the district court. Four territories of the United States have U.S. district courts that hear federal cases, including bankruptcy cases: Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
There are also two special trial courts. The Court of International Trade addresses cases involving international trade and customs laws. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims deals with most claims for money damages against the U.S. government.
The U.S. Cabinet is a series of departments within the Executive Branch of government that are meant to advise the President on issues related to their respective offices. Each department has a secretary who oversees all department activity and reports to the President. The US Cabinet Secretaries are selected by the President of the United States, with a Senate confirmation hearing required for approval of nominees. Cabinet appointees may be dismissed by the President at any time without Senate approval. The 15 executive departments are:
- Department of State
- Department of Treasury
- Department of Defense
- Department of Justice
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Labor
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Energy
- Department of Education
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Homeland Security
The Missoula County Republicans Central Committee voter resources page is our comprehensive guide that provides essential information for voters, including registration details, polling locations, candidate profiles, ballot issues and election dates. It serves as a valuable tool to empower your electoral decisions and encourage democratic participation.
2024 Voters Guide
Legislative
U.S. Senate
State Judicial
MT Supreme Court Chief Justice
State Judicial
MT Supreme court justice #3
State Legislative
MT State House Representative
John Fitzpatrick
Joe Read
Ted Morgan
State Legislative
MT State House Representative
Roy Handley
Delaney Malmstein
Barbara W Starmer
Robert Labair
State Legislative
MT State House Representative
Jace Beard
Ryan Darling
State Legislative
MT State Senate
Annamarie White
Charles Headley
Erica Siate
State Executive
MT State Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Executive
MT State Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Judicial
MT District Four Judge
Incumbent candidate Leslie Halligan is one of 6 district court judges for MT judicial district 4 which covers Missoula and Granite county. She is running for Department 1 unopposed.
Tarra Elliott is running for the 4th district, department 2
John w Larson is the incumbent candidate for department 3 of the 4th district, he is running unopposed.
State Judicial
MT District Four Judge
Incumbent candidate Leslie Halligan is one of 6 district court judges for MT judicial district 4 which covers Missoula and Granite county. She is running for Department 1 unopposed.
Tarra Elliott is running for the 4th district, department 2
John w Larson is the incumbent candidate for department 3 of the 4th district, he is running unopposed.