Bill would let counties with tabulators skip separating ballots by party; clerks call it an efficiency measure
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Summary
Senate Bill 498 would remove the statutory requirement to separate primary ballots by party in counties that use tabulation machines, saving clerks a step; proponents said it is an administrative cleanup and would not affect audits or reconciliation.
Helena — The committee heard brief testimony on Senate Bill 498, sponsored by Senator Wendy McKamey, which would allow counties that use tabulation machines to avoid separating ballots by party during preparation for primary elections. The sponsor described the change as an efficiency measure for urban or larger counties that use tabulators.
Regina Plettenberg, testifying for the Montana Association of County Clerks and Recorders, supported the bill as an administrative cleanup and told the committee the tabulators do not require parties to be separated for counting. Plettenberg stressed that hand‑count procedures (for post‑election audits and specific statutes) would remain unaffected.
No opponents appeared in the room or online and no informational witnesses requested to speak. The measure drew limited discussion and was described by clerks as a simple process‑saving change for counties that already rely on machines.
Ending: Sponsor McKamey urged passage; the committee took the testimony and no amendments were offered during the hearing.