Candidates needed for elections

There is a lot riding on upcoming local elections with many opinions being shared on different sides of issues. However there is a lack of candidates. With nearly 30 positions up for election there is currently only eight candidates signed up.

If there are not enough candidates most of these positions will be filled either through acclimation or the boards will have to try and find people to appoint to remaining vacancies. That is not a good thing as elections are critical in our system of government.

Without elections, boards are often left to try and figure out what the public wants with limited public input. They tend to only hear from the extreme opinions that are able and willing to come to public meetings but they often don’t hear from the silent majority.

When enough candidates sign up for a board to require an election it gives candidates a chance to put out their opinion on their vision for a district and how they would work to reach that vision. In turn, voters get to hear those opinions and then chose the candidates that best fit their own vision.

We are grateful for the people who take time out of their lives to volunteer for these boards.

As for the public we encourage you to apply due diligence and ask the tough questions of our elected board members. If you don’t like what you see, run for a board. There are many to chose from!

The deadline for candidates to apply for special districts is Feb. 10 and the school district filing deadline is March 26.

Special Districts: Greenough-Potomac Fire 2 – 3-year terms; Seeley Lake Community Council: 2 – 3-year terms; Seeley Lake Rural Fire District: 2 – 3-year terms; Seeley Lake Sewer District: 2 – 4-year terms; Seeley Lake Water District: 2 – 4-year terms; Seeley-Swan Hospital District: 2 – 3-year terms; Swan Valley Community Council: 1 – 3-year term; Swan Fire District: 1 – 3-year term from Missoula County and 1 – 3-year term from Lake County

School Districts: Missoula County Pubic High Schools: 1 – 3-year term; Potomac School District #11: 3 – 3-year terms; Sunset School District #30: 1 – 3-year term and 1 – 1-year term; Swan Valley School District #33: 2 – 3-year terms and 1 – 2-year term; Seeley Lake School District #34: 2 – 3-year terms and 1 – 2-year term