Earlier Montana primary election challenges schools
Efforts to move up Montana’s primary election in time for the 2028 presidential race are running into resistance from public schools.
State and local educators last week cautioned legislators against making changes to the state’s election calendar that require voters to weigh in on school budget decisions before fall enrollment figures are known.
At issue is whether to move Montana’s primary election to earlier in the year, and possibly combine it with spring school elections. The proposal originated in April 2025 as a committee resolution by the Legislature’s House State Administration and Veterans Affairs Committee. The goal, according to committee chair Rep. Julie Darling, R-Helena, was to get more press for Montana’s preferences in presidential primaries by moving the vote closer to Super Tuesday, the date in March when many states attract the attention of presidential candidates by holding primaries on the same day.
Education officials told lawmakers Jan. 12 that it might be best to leave public school elections out of any rescheduling. “If changes are to be considered, they would need to be rolled out thoughtfully and over time with clear voter communication and education and close coordination with election administrators and communities across the state,” Katie Youngblood told legislators at last week’s meeting at the Capitol. Youngblood is deputy chief of staff and policy director for state Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen.
https://montanafreepress.org/2026/01/21/earlier-montana-primary-election-challenges-schools/