Information for Candidates
Offices to be Elected in Lewis and Clark County in 2021
Special Purpose Districts Electing Officers in 2021
Fire Districts and Fire Service Areas
Augusta Fire Service Area
Augusta Volunteer Fire District
Baxendale Volunteer Fire District
Birdseye Volunteer Fire District
Canyon Creek Rural Fire District
East Helena Valley Volunteer Fire District
Eastgate Volunteer Fire District
Lincoln Fire District
Marysville Volunteer Fire District
Tri-Lakes Fire Service Area
West Helena Valley Fire District
Wolf Creek/Craig Fire Service Area
York Fire Service Area
Community Councils
Upper Blackfoot Valley Community Council
Hospital Districts
Lincoln Hospital District
Irrigation Districts - Election is held with annual meeting in March
Helena Valley Irrigation District
Click here for a detailed list of the Special Purpose District positions up for election in 2021.
School Districts Electing Officers in 2021
School districts conduct their own respective elections, though they have the option of requesting the county conduct the election. Please contact the school district's clerk to determine which offices are up for election in 2021.
Link to Helena School District #1 Notice of Trustee Vacancy.
Municipalities Electing Officers in 2021
City of East Helena
Mayor, four-year term
Ward 1 City Councilmember, four-year term
Ward 1 City Councilmember, two-year term
Ward 2 City Councilmember, four-year term
City of Helena
Mayor, four-year term
City Commissioner, two positions, four-year terms
Neighborhood Council District #1, four positions, two-year terms
Neighborhood Council District #2, four positions, two-year terms
Neighborhood Council District #3, four positions, two-year terms
Neighborhood Council District #4, four positions, two-year terms
Neighborhood Council District #5, four positions, two-year terms
Neighborhood Council District #6, four positions, two-year terms
Neighborhood Council District #7, four positions, two-year terms
2021 Candidate Filing Information and Forms
Special Purpose District Candidate Filing Information and Forms
Candidate Filing Opens: December 10, 2020
Candidate Filing Closes: February 8, 2021
Deadline to file as a write-in candidate: March 1, 2021
- Special Purpose District Candidate Filing Form
- Form to file as a write-in candidate (write-in candidates names are not printed on the ballot)
School District Candidate Filing Information and Forms
Candidate Filing Opens: December 10, 2020
Candidate Filing Closes: March 25, 2021
Deadline to file as a write-in candidate: April 1, 2021
- Generic School District Candidate Filing Form
- Form to file as a write-in candidate (write-in candidates names are not printed on the ballot)
Municipal (City) Candidate Filing Information and Forms
Candidate Filing Opens: April 22, 2021
Candidate Filing Closes: June 21, 2021
Deadline to file as a write-in candidate for the Primary Election: July 12, 2021
Deadline to file as a write-in candidate for the General Election: August 30, 2021
Information and Filing Fees for Municipal Offices
- Municipal Candidate Filing Form (for Mayor, City Commissioner, or City Councilmember)
- Helena Neighborhood District Council Filing Form (for Helena Citizens' Council)
- Form to file as a write-in candidate (write-in candidates names are not printed on the ballot)
How to file the C1 or C1A with the Commissioner of Political Practices on CERS.
Political Party Central Committee Elections (Precinct Committeeman and Precinct Committeewoman)
Each party may elect at each Federal Primary Election one person of each sex to serve as committee representatives for each election precinct. The committee representatives must be residents and registered voters of the precinct. The powers and structure of political parties are further outlined in Montana Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 38.
The next Federal Primary Election is scheduled for June 7, 2022.
Filing forms and deadlines will be posted closer to the opening of candidate filing.
If the election for a Precinct's Committeeman and Committeewoman positions is not contested, the election for Committeeman and Committeewoman will be canceled in that Precinct.
If you have questions about the candidate filing or the Primary Election process for Precinct Committeepeople, please contact the county elections office.
For more information on Party Central Committees, please contact the Democratic or Republican party's State or County Central Committees directly.
Campaign Regulations & Campaign Finance
The Commissioner of Political Practices enforces campaign finance and campaign practice laws. For more information about campaign practices, finances, and related reports, visit the Commissioner of Political Practices' website.
Some candidates are required to file statements of candidacy with the Commissioner of Political Practices. Click here to view instructions the COPP office provides on how to file the C1 or C1A statement of candidacy on CERS.
Political Sign Regulations
In the City of Helena political signs are regulated by city ordinance and cannot be placed on city property or on public rights-of-way, including boulevards between the sidewalk and street. The Helena Community Development Department has some information about sign regulations. If you have questions or would like to report a violation, contact Elroy Golemon at 406-447-8448.
In the State of Montana the Montana Department of Transportation regulates political sign placement on interstate highways in accordance with Administrative Rule 18.6.246. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Right of Way Bureau at 406-444-6068.
If you have a complaint about a political sign that is not in Helena City limits or along the interstate, we recommend you contact the candidate or candidate's political party directly. If you are not sure how to contact the candidate or candidate's party, please call us at 406-447-8339 or email us at elections(at)lccountymt.gov for assistance.