Commissioners Cancel Some Special District Elections, Elect Unopposed Candidates by Acclamation
Posted on February 17, 2026
The Missoula County commissioners voted at their Feb. 10 public administrative meeting to cancel certain upcoming special district board elections and elect unopposed candidates by acclamation.
Candidate filing for the 2026 special elections closed on Feb. 4. The Missoula County Elections Office received many valid candidate filings, but several positions remain unfilled (see list below). When the number of candidates equals the number of vacant positions, the candidate is elected by a process of acclamation, and no election is held for that race.
The May 5 special election will still be held for some school and special district positions. More information for levies and positions related to school districts can be found online.
The commissioners also canceled elections for which no candidates filed and are seeking applicants for those positions, which will become vacant May 31. Applicants must be residents of Missoula County and at least 18 years old. Additional residency requirements may apply for specific positions. All board positions are volunteer roles.
Applications for vacant positions are available online. Submissions may be filed electronically by emailing [email protected]. The deadline to submit applications is 3 p.m., Thursday, March 19.
Per resolutions adopted by the county commissioners Feb. 10, 2026, the following special district elections have been canceled:
Big Flat Irrigation District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new three-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. At that time, if the board member wishes to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Clinton Irrigation District: Candidate Patrick Byrne was elected by acclamation to a new three-year term.
Clinton Rural Fire District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new three-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. At that time, if the board member wishes to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
East Frenchtown Water District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill two new four-year terms that run from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. At that time, if the board members wish to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
East Missoula Rural Fire District: Candidate Diana Bushey was elected by acclamation to a new three-year term.
Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new three-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. At that time, if the board members wish to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
East Missoula Sewer District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill two new four-year terms that run from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. At that time, if the board members wish to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Elk Meadows Ranchettes County Water District: Candidates Holly Langley and Kristin Kzaley were elected by acclamation to new four-year terms.
Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new four-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. At that time, if the board member wishes to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Frenchtown Irrigation District: Candidate Gyla Steiner was elected by acclamation to a new three-year term.
Frenchtown Rural Fire District: Candidate Greg Teigen was elected by acclamation to a new three-year term.
Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new three-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. Current member has submitted letter of interest and is eligible to continue serving. At that time, if the board member wishes to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Goodan Keil County Water District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill three new four-year terms that run from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. At that time, if the board members wish to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Greenough-Potomac Rural Fire Service Area: Candidate Gary Burnett was elected by acclamation to a new three-year term.
Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new three-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. At that time, if the board members wish to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Missoula Irrigation District: (Division 2): Candidates Shawn F. Clouse and Robert J. Cole were elected by acclamation to new three-year terms.
Missoula Rural Fire District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new three-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. At that time, if the board member wishes to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Seeley Lake Rural Fire District: Candidates Victoria R. Smith and Alyssa McLean were elected by acclamation to new three-year terms.
Seeley-Swan Hospital District: Candidate Martin DeHaven was elected by acclamation to a new three-year term.
Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new three-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. At that time, if the board member wishes to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Seeley Lake Water District: Candidates Charles Hahn and Freda M. Rathbun were elected by acclamation to new four-year terms.
Shelby Addition Water District: Candidates Jason Darelius, Scott Madgwick and Terry Lemke were elected by acclamation to new four-year terms.
Spring Meadows County Water District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill two new four-year terms that run from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. At that time, if the board members wish to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Sunny Meadows Missoula County Water and Sewer District: Candidates Cynthia Winchell and Robert L. “Dusty” Deschamps were elected by acclamation to new four-year terms.
Swan Valley Fire Service Area: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill one new three-year term that runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. Current member has submitted letter of interest and is eligible to continue serving. At that time, if the board member wishes to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Target Range Sewer and Water District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill three new four-year terms that run from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. At that time, if the board members wish to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
Turah Meadows Sewer and Water District: Commissioners are seeking applicants to fill three new four-year terms that run from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. At that time, if the board members wish to continue serving, they will need to file as a candidate in the special district elections.
These elections were canceled pursuant to the following state statutes: MCA 7-5-2101, MCA 85-7-1702(3) and MCA 13-1-304.
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