HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-17-26 Public Comment - N. Nakamura - Concerns about ballot educationFrom:Natsuki Nakamura
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Concerns about ballot education
Date:Thursday, July 16, 2026 12:10:45 AM
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Dear Study Commission,
I'm quite surprised by the presentation tonight from the ballot education consultant. I know theproposed charter and report language is yet to be finalized (yikes!), but I was surprised that the
consultants offered only an idea for branding and not a first attempt of some possiblemessaging.
Firstly, I'm surprised by the effort put into branding, given that the Study Commission has
already spent over a year of outreach with very different branding, including the look the lastpaid consultant put effort into developing and featured in paid advertisements (in some of the
same avenues proposed by the new consultants). To have a completely new look now feelslike it is a new project disconnected from any previous messaging and outreach (see images
below). I agree with Commissioner Campbell's point tonight that any outreach efforts shouldbe clear that it is official Bozeman Study Commission materials.
Colors/look from official Study Commission website:
Colors/look from last consultant's outreach:
Proposed branding from new consultant:
With the new branding, I would not at all think the material was related to the ongoingBozeman Study Commission work leading up to what will be on the November ballot. While I
didn't love the past consultant's branding, I think it is at least more clear that it is about ourCity's charter.
If one does make the connection that it is related to the Bozeman Study Commission, I feel
that the new branding is misleading in inviting input on the charter. At this point in theprocess, it is not about getting input on the charter, but about educating the community about
what changes are being proposed in a new charter and the various sub-options up for a vote(which tonight's discussion made clear, are likely to be confusing). Even at the recent public
hearing, I witnessed a disconnect with some community members who wanted to give inputon changes that were not up for discussion by the Study Commission.
Ballot education about the Study Commission's proposals should not be about visibility
through branding and ads; it needs to be about communicating proposed changes and choicesthat people will be voting on this November in digestible ways. I know you all have been
deep, deep in the charter and this process, but I had a conversation just today with a coworkerabout Bozeman's structure with the Mayor and City Manager. And we didn't even have time to
get into the Deputy Mayor! Please please focus on communicating--in plain English!--what ison the ballot this November so that people can think about why and how they may wish to
vote. Paying for billboards, ads, mailers, etc are only helpful if they include digestibleinformation on the choices, or briefly explain the why people should care and then direct
people to digestible resources to learn more about the options on the ballot.
Thank you for your consideration,Natsuki Nakamura
P.S. Maybe I missed it, but who is the treasurer responsible for reporting all of the expenses on
ballot education to the MT Commissioner of Political Practices?
P.P.S. As a disclosure, I am a member of the Economic Vitality Board and the BetterBozeman Coalition action committee, but only commenting on behalf of myself.