Staff recommends Council approve a resolution requiring or canceling a Municipal Primary Election on September 9, 2025.

Section 13-14-115(3), MCA, authorizes a governing body to require a primary election be held for a nonpartisan office if it passes a resolution not more than 10 days after the close of filing by candidates for election stating that a primary election must be held for that office, or June 21, 2025. Section 13-1-403(4), MCA authorizes a municipality to cancel an election by resolution after notification by the election administrator if the number of candidates filing for election is equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled. On June 11, 2025, the City received notification from the election administrator that a municipal primary would not be held (see attached). However, a special meeting has been requested to consider requiring a primary despite the election administrator's determination. 

City Council may:

• Approve a resolution requiring a primary election be held for certain nonpartisan offices on September 9, 2025, pursuant to Section 13-14-115(3), MCA; or,
• Not Approve a resolution requiring a primary election be held for certain nonpartisan offices on September 9, 2025, pursuant to Section 13-14-115(3), MCA.

The primary election of municipal offices currently eligible for election shall be held by mail ballot as set forth in City of Billings Resolution No. 25-11263 and in accordance with the provisions of Title 13, Chapter 19, Parts 1-3, MCA. Pursuant to Section 13-1-302, MCA, all costs of the regularly scheduled primary and general elections shall be paid by the counties and other political subdivisions for which the elections are held. Each political subdivision shall bear its proportionate share of the costs as determined by the county governing body. According to the Yellowstone County Election Administrator, K. V. "Ginger" Aldrich, having a primary election on September 9, 2025, may cost the City approximately $100,000.