Let the voters decide

Recently, I viewed the video of the July 3 Sanders County commissioners meeting about the partisan elections initiative presented by HD-14 Rep. Paul Fielder.

Commissioner Dan Rowan clarified the purpose of meeting was to decide whether the question of partisan versus nonpartisan county elections should be placed on the 2026 ballot highlighting this as a core aspect of democracy.

There are three methods for adding issues to a ballot:

1. Citizens can collect signatures from 10% of county voters

2. The issue can be raised during the next Government review in 2034, or

3. Commissioners can vote to add it.

The Commissioners voted 2-1 to place the initiative on the 2026 ballot.

Ashley Kent of MSU’s Local Government Center said, “Having your local government officials vote on adding an issue on the ballot is the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars & the most expedient way to move forward.”

With population changes in Sanders County over the last fifteen years since nonpartisan elections were put into effect, it's time to reconsider local preferences.

Based on what I've read and heard over the past few weeks, it seems that a few residents are opposed to Representative Fielder's initiative. My reaction to this is, “Shouldn’t democracy be about allowing people to vote for qualified candidates who best represent their values and beliefs? Don’t be afraid of putting this issue on the ballot. Let the voters decide.

- Kathleen Hassan, Trout Cree