8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
Join the GoodParty.org Community on Circle
JoinRun for County Attorney/Public Administrator (Joint) in Stillwater County County, MT
Election Date: Nov 3, 2026Filing Deadline: May 26, 2026
Election Details
- Office level: county
- Length of term: 4 years
- Commitment level: Full Time
- Affiliation: partisan
- Typical salary: $110,173.96
- Is this a runoff election? No
- Is this a primary election? No
- Filing period: Jan 8, 2026 - May 26, 2026
- Positions: Stillwater County Sheriff/CoronerStillwater County Treasurer/AssessorStillwater County Commission - District 1Stillwater County District Court ClerkStillwater County Attorney/Public Administrator...
Job description
The County Attorney is the top law enforcement official for the county and acts as the legal adviser to the Board of County Commissioners, all elected officials of the County, Fire Districts, Weed Districts and School Districts. The County Attorney is the public prosecutor and prosecutes all felonies in the county as well as other misdemeanor crimes which occur in the county and outside the city jurisdictions.
The Public Administrator is appointed as a conservator to manage someone's financial affairs or as a guardian to make medical and life decisions for people who are unable to do so themselves for a variety of reasons such as brain injury, Alzheimer's, mental handicap, or being under the age of eighteen. The Public Administrator may also be appointed as personal representative in probate cases. Being appointed as conservator, guardian, or personal representative usually happens when there is no one else or there is a need for an impartial person.
Eligibility requirements
A candidate must be 18 years of age; a citizen of the state; and (a) an elector of the county in which the duties of the office are to be exercised; or (b) in the case of an office consolidated between two or more counties, an elector in one of the counties in which the duties of the office are to be exercised.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 400 East 3rd Avenue North, Box 149, Columbus MT 59019
Filing phone number: 406-322-8000
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the County Clerk's office
Filing requirements: filing fee: 0.5% of total annual position salary; signature requirement: 5% or more of the total vote cast for the successful candidate for the same office at the last general election. If the office sought is a new office or the boundaries of the district or political subdivision in which the election is to be held have changed since the last election for the office, the officer with whom nominations for the office sought are filed shall determine the number of signatures required for a petition of nomination for that office.
FAQ
How often is County Attorney/Public Administrator (Joint) elected?
The position of County Attorney/Public Administrator (Joint) is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be partisan?
Partisan elections require candidates to declare a party affiliation, like Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Stillwater County County, MT?
filing fee: 0.5% of total annual position salary; signature requirement: 5% or more of the total vote cast for the successful candidate for the same office at the last general election. If the office sought is a new office or the boundaries of the district or political subdivision in which the election is to be held have changed since the last election for the office, the officer with whom nominations for the office sought are filed shall determine the number of signatures required for a petition of nomination for that office.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the County Clerk's office
Where is the filing office?
400 East 3rd Avenue North, Box 149, Columbus MT 59019.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 406-322-8000.
How do I get started running for County Attorney/Public Administrator (Joint)?
You can start running for County Attorney/Public Administrator (Joint) by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for County Attorney/Public Administrator (Joint) does not include a primary or runoff election.
Free tools for independent candidates
Get free AI-powered tools to accelerate your campaign strategy. GoodParty.org's AI Campaign Manager lets you track your progress toward key voter outreach goals, instantly generate custom campaign materials, and get access to a nationwide network of grassroots volunteers. Get a free demo today to see how the AI Campaign Manager can streamline your campaign strategy.
Get a free demo
GoodParty.org AI can help you
- Generate engaging content in seconds
- Refine your campaign strategy with voter data
- Recruit volunteers and fill key campaign roles
Try the AI campaign manager today
Get started
Explore elections in your community
Find elections at the State, County or City level
