January 14, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT: Terri Knapp, (406) 444-2807

Record Number of Candidates File on Opening Day
106 candidates file in the first 9 hours

Secretary of State Linda McCulloch assists candidates as they file for public office.

( HELENA) – Montana’s 2010 election season kicked off with a record number of candidates filing for public office on opening day. Secretary of State Linda McCulloch says 106 candidates filed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday, January 14 – which is the first day candidates were legally allowed to file for public office in Montana in 2010.

“Folks were waiting outside the door this morning,” Secretary McCulloch said. “I thought we’d have an early rush in the morning, and that would be it for the day – but candidates were here all day.”

As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2010, the Secretary of State’s Office received 27 web filings and 79 paper filings – for a total of 106 candidate filings on opening day. Those numbers compare to 2008, which had 14 web filings and 41 paper filings – for a total of 55 candidate filings on opening day.

Candidate Filing Statistics

Dave Gallik, of Helena, was the first candidate to file today. Terry Murphy, of Cardwell, was the last candidate to file before 5 p.m.

“Voting and running for public office are two of our most fundamental rights as citizens of this great state and nation,” Secretary McCulloch said. “Today’s record indicates that 2010 will be a strong election year.”

The final day to file for any public office is Monday, March 15, 2010. Candidates may file electronically via the Secretary of State’s online candidate filing service, in person at the Secretary of State’s office, by mail, or by facsimile. Forms postmarked by the deadline, but not received by the deadline, cannot be accepted.

A complete list of candidate filings can be found on the Secretary of State’s website at sos.mt.gov. The list is updated throughout the day.