HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-26 Public Comment - K. Beach - Special ElectionsFrom:Karen Beach
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Special Elections
Date:Tuesday, February 17, 2026 3:13:15 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Study Commission Members,
I am writing you again, to reiterate my support for special elections being held when a
commissioner resigns before their term is up, rather than the commissioners appointing someone
to fill the vacancy right away. This scenario instantly creates an incumbent who enters the next
election with an unfair advantage through name recognition, media coverage and opportunities to
network with future campaign donors, and becomes someone on the board for 2 years without a
vote from the people. It seems that more and more decisions are being taken out of the hands of
the voters and are being decided by the commissioners who essentially hand-pick their favorite
applicant for a seat. We want the right to vote in the immediate for a new commissioner when the
need arises, putting the decision back into the hands of Bozeman residents.
A majority of Bozeman voters wanted there to be a study commission because we want a
government that is responsible to its constituents, not one that preserves its own views regardless
of public input. This study you are doing is about how the residents of Bozeman want their
government to work for them, not how the study commissioners wants it to be. I hope that you will
vote in favor with the residents of Bozeman and recommend that special elections be held when a
vacancy arises because a commissioner has resigned before their term is completed.
Thank you,
Karen Beach
Bozeman resident