Greetings, Beacon Nation! Less than six minutes after Flathead County stopped accepting ballots at 8 p.m. following the all-mail election on Nov. 4, Election Manager Paula Buff had already printed out the first tranche of preliminary results. It was a textbook example of election efficiency and signaled a departure from two years earlier, when a clerical error invalidated the Kalispell City Council election, forcing a taxpayer-funded partial re-do and leaving two incumbent council members in a six-month state of flux.

Two days after last week’s election to decide a slate of municipal races, as well as a countywide public safety bond, Flathead County Clerk and Recorder Debbie Pierson — an elected Republican who for the past decade has overseen five county departments, including elections — made a compelling case to the three-member Board of County Commissioners; namely, that her role as the top elections official should be restructured and, in its place, an independent elections department established, led by an appointed, nonpartisan election administrator.

I’m Tristan Scott, here to explain the peculiar mechanics of local election oversight in this Monday edition of the Daily Roundup.

Laying out a five-part argument in support of the change, Pierson began with the most logical: There’s an inherent conflict of interest in an elected official overseeing an election in which they may be a candidate.

Flathead County operates under a partisan form of government, requiring all elected officials, excluding members of the judiciary, to campaign and serve under a declared political party. This structure introduced unique challenges, particularly in the administration of elections, which Pierson said “is widely regarded as one of the most complex and scrutinized functions of county government.”

“Because the election administrator has to run as a partisan candidate, for an election administrator, that’s not a great structure,” Pierson said, noting that she also stands to potentially lose her position every four years and, with it, a trove of institutional knowledge key to maintaining a smooth-running election apparatus, particularly as state election laws are subject to frequent legislative change. “There is no room for any partisan politics in the decision-making that has to go on to effectively manage elections.”

Recognizing the increasing complexity of election administration, the Clerk and Recorder has appointed an Elections Manager (Paula Buff) to assist with operational oversight, Pierson said, but ultimate accountability remains with the elected Clerk and Recorder.

“In this heightened political climate, requiring the elections administrator to campaign on a partisan platform while simultaneously overseeing impartial elections, potentially including their own, raises legitimate concerns about public trust, perceived conflicts of interest, and operational integrity.”

With those challenges in mind, Pierson asked the commissioners to consider a proposal to restructure the role, which she said “would align with best practices in election governance and reinforce the county’s commitment to transparency, neutrality, and excellence in public service.”

Indeed, across Montana, Pierson noted “a growing number of counties have recognized the operational and ethical advantages of separating the Election Administrator role from the elected Clerk and Recorder position. As of 2025, nine of Montana’s 56 counties — Bighorn, Carbon, Cascade, Glacier, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Teton, and Yellowstone — have adopted this model. Notably, Flathead County ranks as the fourth largest in Montana by both population and electorate in size. Among the five largest counties, three have already appointed independent Election Administrators, and Gallatin County is actively pursuing a similar transition.

All three Flathead County commissioners expressed support for Pierson’s proposal, which she urged them to adopt as a resolution before the next Jan. 8 when candidate filings, including for her position, open in Montana.

I hope you all elect to continue reading for a roundup of our latest news coverage, which I assure you is fair, independent and nonpartisan.

This holiday season, celebrate the spirit of our community by shopping local. Every purchase you make from a neighborhood business helps support local jobs, families, and the unique character that makes the Flathead Valley such a special place to call home. From thoughtful gifts to festive experiences, our local shops have everything you need to make the season bright. Here’s some information on how to keep it local this holiday season.