Uncontested Belgrade races lead to canceled election

The City of Belgrade will not hold any elections this year after only one candidate filed for the mayoral position and no council positions were challenged. 

According to Belgrade city officials, Montana law allows local governments to cancel elections when all races have a single candidate. When only one candidate files, that individual is automatically declared elected once the filing period closes.

The current Mayor of Belgrade, Russ Nelson, said the decision is a standard administrative process permitted under Montana Election Code 13-1-403, which states that when only one candidate is certified for an office, the governing body may declare that person elected and cancel the election. 

“We had three council positions available to renew, and the mayor’s position was up for reelection. None of those were challenged,” Nelson said. “There were no other candidates applying, so the city does not have to spend whatever it costs to have an election.”

Because there were no contested races, the Gallatin County Election Department certified the results without holding a public vote, according to the City of Belgrade’s Facebook announcement on Aug. 20.

Belgrade’s mayor-elect is Michael Meis, a current member of the Belgrade City Council and deputy mayor. “After 22 years as mayor of the City of Belgrade, I am excited to hand the torch over to Mike Meis,” Nelson said in the Facebook announcement on Aug. 20. “His leadership and dedication to our community will serve Belgrade well in the years to come.” 

The Belgrade City Council also has open seats that received no candidate filings. One vacancy will occur in Ward 2 when Meis steps into his role as mayor and his current term ends. The City has posted an open call for applications for residents interested in serving on the council, according to Nelson. 

The council will review applications and appoint a qualified person to fill the position, according to the Aug. 20 announcement. “Sometimes it is the decision of the council and the city manager when this incident occurs,” Nelson said.

Other Montana cities and towns have made similar decisions during election cycles with no contested races. 

“I’d say two or three times this has happened in Belgrade,” Nelson said. “There hasn’t been a lot of interest in city government. People are busy, or they’re happy with how things are.”

For more information about upcoming meetings, candidate updates, and vacancies, visit the City of Belgrade’s website at https://www.belgrademt.gov/.