Bozeman Municipal Election is on November 4th and it will be an all-mail election and polling locations will not be open! Turn in your ballot to your local county elections office, drop it off at a drop box, or mail your ballot by October 28 (i.e., 7 days before the election) to ensure it is received on time.
If you are not registered to vote, you can still register the day of the election! To check your voter registration status head here.
If you missed our candidate forum check out the audio recording from KGVM to learn more!
Mayoral Candidates
Douglas Fischer
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- I want my kids – and yours – to thrive in Bozeman. That means affordable, diverse housing close to jobs, schools, parks and local businesses. I’ll push for policies that expand housing choice, protect tenants, and remove barriers for projects that meet community needs. Working together, we can keep Bozeman inclusive, vibrant, and livable for people of all incomes and stages of life.
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- On the school board and city commission, I’ve worked to bring a broad range of voices to the table. As mayor, I’ll engage with youth leaders, show up where young people gather, and keep communication open and accessible. Bozeman has diverse needs; including young people’s priorities helps ensure our policies serve both today’s residents and the generations who will call this city home.
John Meyer
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- When elected I will work towards the creation of a public housing authority as Bozeman is the only major municipality in Montana without one. Furthermore, I am strong believer in the WARD ballot initiative and the combination of those two polices will result in more affordable housing being constructed. Bozeman is not facing a housing shortage, but rather an AFFORDABLE housing shortage.
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- Over the course of my career at Cottonwood Environmental Law Center, I have had the privilege of working with incredible interns who have proven the capability of youth. As Mayor, I will ensure that I am listening to and acting on behalf of the young people trying to make Bozeman their home by engaging in the community and listening to every voice, not just special interests.
Brendan O’Connor
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- I’ll tie Tax Increment Financing to real affordability benchmarks requiring a portion of units at 60–80% AMI for 20 years. I’ll support mixed-use, higher-density projects in appropriate zones and streamline permitting for infill development. Public private partnerships will help create diverse, well-located housing without overburdening taxpayers.
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- I’ll keep Gen Z and Millennials at the table through outreach, forums, and social media. My priorities include affordable housing, better transit, and family-friendly entertainment options. I’ll ensure city policies create opportunities to live, work, and thrive in Bozeman so young residents aren’t forced to leave.
City Commission Candidates (2 Seats)
Eli Anselmi
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- I will promote balanced growth that respects property rights while addressing housing needs with smart zoning, diverse housing options, and thoughtful density in appropriate areas. By protecting single-family neighborhoods and encouraging affordable, well-located developments. Collaboration with stakeholders, clear planning, and common-sense policies will ensure housing remains available, varied, and attainable for all residents without compromising community character.
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- I will ensure young voices are heard by engaging directly with students, workers, and young families while balancing the needs of all residents. By fostering affordable housing, job opportunities, and accessible recreation, we can support the next generation without neglecting longtime citizens. My goal, and priority, is to represent Bozeman as a whole, listening openly, weighing priorities fairly, and making decisions that strengthen our community for every age group.
Roger Blank
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- While growth is inevitable, such growth should reflect the values and vision of the public; as memorialized through a public approved Growth Plan and UDC. Our growth should be respectful of preexisting neighborhoods while preserving green and open spaces. Density should be encouraged in locations where it is appropriate mindful of the impact such development has on the surrounding neighborhoods. Affordability should go hand and hand with approved new development.
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- Our youth are our future and we are stewards of the present which they will inherit. We have a responsibility to our youth that they inherit the best possible future we can leave them. As an elected representative for all our citizens I’ll aim to represent all voices irrespective of age. During my campaign and if elected, I’ll have an open-door policy and welcome input on proposed public policy initiatives.
Emma Bode
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- We must build and maintain access to homes at a variety of price points in every part of town, not just the West Side. I support policies that remove barriers to building affordable housing, invest in emergency/transitional housing programs, and advance tenant rights to keep people in their homes. I also support the development of more accessible homes where people of all abilities can age in place
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- If elected, I will work to make a non-voting seat for an ASMSU-appointed student to each of our advisory boards so students have an institutionalized seat at the table and can grow into City leadership. Additionally, I will maintain strong relationships with youth civic engagement organizations and work to develop a more statistically representative system for surveying our residents on controversial issues so that everyone has a voice in government.
Trevor Nameniuk
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- Bozeman’s growing, there are no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. How that growth looks is ultimately what the Commission can influence. I will always make it a priority to do what’s in the best interest of Bozeman as a whole, and to me that means allowing basic economic principles such as supply & demand go to work. Studies show that new, high-density buildings have roughly 21.8% vacancy rates. I will use UDC-based regulations, (zoning, etc.) to foster thoughtful, balanced supply and development.
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- As a young person myself, born in 1996, I do & will continue to actively engage with my peers. Asking questions & listening to their ideas & concerns while, in turn, being the voice for those very thoughts in a capacity where action can be taken. Utilizing things such as social media platforms could be a fantastic way in which we drive civic engagement among the younger population of Bozemanites. Talking with young people directly and in-person at events like Music on Main, etc. is even better.
Alison Sweeney
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- Protect existing neighborhoods that currently have a variety of housing types and economically diverse residents, from displacement resulting from gentrification due to redevelopment. 2. Create pre-approved plans for invisible infill housing on divided lots. The ready to build design and pre-approval reduces production cost allowing for the infill housing to be more affordable. 3. Using City policy to encourage neighborhood scale commercial nodes in new walkable neighborhoods.
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- My first priority will be to elevate the voice of residents and neighborhoods by rebuilding the mechanisms for public participation in government. People need to see their participation reflected in policy outcomes. I’d like to bring back the urban renewal boards, strengthen advisory boards and Bozeman’s Neighborhoods Program. Young people who participate in these boards and programs will be empowered right alongside our elders and middle aged residents.
Emily Talago
How will you ensure that Bozeman meets our evolving housing needs? (consider growth, availability, variety, density, location, affordability, etc.) (70 word max)
- Bozeman’s solutions need more than yes/no answers, and ideas won’t come from City Hall alone. I will always support people meeting their housing needs organically—through choices that fit their lives and budgets. Housing is part of the bigger picture, tied to economic opportunity and sustainability. I back options that balance affordability, location, and density while respecting neighborhood stability and infrastructure.
As an elected official, how will you ensure that your decisions represent the priorities of young people? (70 word max)
- I invite young residents to help shape Bozeman’s future. I prioritize engagement—meeting people where they are, listening closely, and showing how input shapes outcomes. I will support young people by advancing housing, climate, and economic development policies that create opportunity and make it possible to thrive here, while balancing these needs with those of the whole community.
WARD Initiative
The WARD ballot initiative, short for Water Adequacy for Residential Development, proposes a change to the Bozeman Municipal Code. If this initiative passes, residential developers can only use the cash-in-lieu option for water rights (i.e., paying the city instead of supplying new water) if at least 33% of their new units are designated as affordable.
WARD limits access to the City of Bozeman’s water and connects that to affordable housing. Although this sounds promising, there are many unintended consequences that will flow from this policy including substantially limiting the ability to build new housing within Bozeman’s city limits and increasing urban sprawl into the natural surroundings that we love. Ultimately, this initiative would drive up the cost of housing by reducing the available supply in Bozeman.
- A yes vote means you support amending municipal code and support the WARD initiatives’ limitations on access to water rights.
- A no vote on WARD means you oppose the proposed changes to municipal code and support additional housing development in Bozeman.
Forward Montana does not endorse the WARD ballot initiative and encourages you to vote NO on WARD.
WTF Does The Mayor Do?
The Mayor serves as a voting member of the City Commission and as the leader of Bozeman. The mayor drives policy for the city determining what our community looks and feels like. Due to the Bozeman City Charter, the elected Mayor in Bozeman serves two years as Deputy Mayor before serving a two-year term as the Mayor. If you care about issues like affordable housing policy, infrastructure, public parks, and public safety, then it’s important to vote for this local office.
WTF Do City Commissioners Do?
City commissioners craft and vote on city policies and budgets to represent Bozeman residents’ interests and develop a sustainable path forward for the city. They drive policy that determines what our community looks and feels like for years to come on issues like affordable housing policy, infrastructure, public parks, and public safety.
WTF Does A Municipal Judge Do?
Municipal judges make rulings on municipal disputes, citations, and infractions – including determining the extent and type of sentence or fee for those infractions. You or someone you know has likely interacted or will interact with a municipal judge. Because the law requires interpretation, municipal judges have some discretion in sentencing and rulings, which could impact your life and the lives of those you care about.
This year, the municipal judge candidate, Colleen Herrington, is running unopposed.
Key dates and information:
- October 15-17 Absentee ballots are mailed out. If you don’t receive your ballot by October 24, check in with your county elections office. This will be an all-mail election and polling locations will not be open.
- Voter Registration Deadlines.
- After October 6: You must register to vote in person at your county elections office during business hours. Monday, November 3rd between 12pm-5pm the day before the election, voter registration is closed. You can still register to vote on election day!
- November 4 @ 8 PM: All ballots must be received by your county elections office. Turn in your ballot to your local county elections office, drop it off at a drop box, or mail your ballot by October 28 (i.e., 7 days before the election) to ensure it is received on time.
- Turn in your ballot to the Gallatin County Elections Office at 311 W. Main St. Room 210, Bozeman, Montana 59715. Ballots must arrive at the county elections office before or on election day.
- Due to a change in law (HB719) – you are now required to put your birth year on the back of your mail ballot envelope! Voters will be required to put their 4-digit birth year (YYYY) in addition to their signature on their mail ballot envelopes!