2025 Municipal Election
CITY OF GREAT FALLS, MONTANA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 4, 2025
CONTACT: Lisa Kunz, City Clerk – 406-455-8451
Candidates can begin filing for the 2025 municipal election on April 17, 2025
Great Falls, Montana – Great Falls residents who are interested in becoming more involved with their local government are encouraged to consider running for elected office. In November 2025, a mail ballot election is scheduled. Positions for elected office include one (1) Mayor for a two-year term, two (2) City Commissioners for four-year terms, forty-five (45) Neighborhood Council representatives consisting of five representatives in each of the nine districts for two-year terms; and one (1) Municipal Court Judge for Department B for a four-year term. All newly elected officials will take office in January 2026.
Qualified electors interested in filing can do so April 17, 2025, through June 16, 2025, by completing a Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy form at the Cascade County Election Office (325 2nd Ave N). Pursuant to the Montana Constitution and state law, an individual must be a resident of Great Falls and be registered to vote to be considered a qualified elector. Those interested in running for the position of Mayor, Commissioner, or as a Neighborhood Council representative must be qualified electors of the City of Great Falls.
Those seeking a Commission seat must be a resident of Great Falls for at least 60 days preceding the election. Mayoral candidates must be at least 21 years of age, must have been a resident of Montana for at least three years, and must have been a resident of Great Falls for at least two years preceding the election. Nominees for election to a Neighborhood Council must be residents of their designated neighborhood district.
Municipal Court Judge candidates shall have the same qualifications as a judge of the district court as set forth in Article II, Section 9, of the Montana Constitution, except a Municipal Court Judge need only be admitted, and in good standing, to the practice of law in Montana for at least three years prior to the date of election. A Municipal Court Judge shall be a resident of Cascade County for one year preceding the election, and be a resident and qualified elector in the City of Great Falls at the time of his or her election. Further, a Municipal Court Judge shall become certified as provided in Mont. Code Ann. §§ 3-1-1502 and 3-1-1503, to assume the functions of that office.
The fees to file are $56.16 for Mayor, $37.44 for Commissioner, $0.00 for Neighborhood Council Representatives, and $1,278.50 for the incumbent Municipal Court Judge Department B, or $1,198.60 for others filing for Municipal Court Judge Department B.
If the Cascade County Election Administrator determines that a primary election needs to be held, the primary election will take place on September 9, 2025. The general election will be held on November 4, 2025.
The City of Great Falls operates under the Commission-Manager form of government, and the Commission serves as the City's legislative and policy-making body. The City Commission employs the City Manager who directs the day-to-day operations of the City. City Commission meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
In 1996, a Local Government Study Commission recommended the formation of Neighborhood Councils in Great Falls to provide opportunities for citizen involvement in City government. The proposal was placed on the ballot and was approved. Since that time, Neighborhood Councils have operated in an advisory capacity and as liaisons to City staff, the City Commission, and residents. Neighborhood Council meetings take place monthly.
In 2022, voters approved a Charter amendment, and a second Municipal Court Judge was elected in 2023. The second Municipal Court Judge position shall be designated Municipal Court Department B and is subject to a four-year term.
Additional information about the upcoming 2025 Municipal Election can be found on the City’s website or by contacting the Cascade County Election Office at 454-6803, Lisa Kunz, City Clerk at 455-8451, or Rob Moccasin, Neighborhood Council Liaison, at 788-1129.
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