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Chris Hindoien recall, Choteau, Montana (2025)
| Chris Hindoien recall |
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| Officeholders |
| Recall status |
| Signature requirement |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2025 Recalls in Montana Montana recall laws Mayoral recalls Recall reports |
An effort in Choteau, Montana, to recall Mayor Chris Hindoien ended when Hindoien resigned from his position effective on March 4, 2025. Hindoien submitted his resignation on February 3, 2025.[1] Councilmember Stewart Merja was selected to serve the remainder of Hindoien's term.[2]
Recall supporters
The recall effort was organized by Choteau resident Ed Bumgarner in response to the termination of a law enforcement agreement with Teton County Sheriff’s Office. The city had advertised to find a new police chief, but the position had not been filled at the time of Hindoien's resignation.[1]
Recall opponents
KRTV reported that Hindoien had advocated for Choteau to have its own police department rather than relying on the county sheriff. Hindoien said, "Montana Code says I have to have a police department, but the Attorney General says I have to have a police chief. Nowhere in code does it say you have to have a police chief, but the attorney general ruling says that you do."[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Montana
Montana allows the following grounds for recall: physical or mental lack of fitness, incompetence, violation of the oath of office, official misconduct, or conviction of a felony offense.[3] To get the recall on the ballot, supporters must collect signatures equal to 15% or 20% of registered voters in the jurisdiction as of the last election for the office, depending on the office type.[4] Recall supporters have three months to circulate petitions.[5]
Recall context
- See also: Ballotpedia's Recall Report
Ballotpedia covers recall efforts across the country for all state and local elected offices. A recall effort is considered official if the petitioning party has filed an official form, such as a notice of intent to recall, with the relevant election agency.
The chart below shows how many officials were included in recall efforts from 2012 to 2024 as well as how many of them defeated recall elections to stay in office and how many were removed from office in recall elections.
See also
- Ballotpedia's Recall Report
- Choteau, Montana
- Recall campaigns in Montana
- Political recall efforts, 2025
- Mayoral recalls
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 KRTV, "Choteau mayor submits resignation," February 5, 2025
- ↑ Choteau Acantha, "Council to appoint Stewart Merja to fill out term," February 12, 2025
- ↑ Montana Code Annotated 2021, "Officers Subject To Recall -- Grounds For Recall," accessed October 16, 2023
- ↑ 2022 Montana Code Annotated, "§ 2-16-614 (2022)," accessed October 16, 2023
- ↑ 2022 Montana Code Annotated, "§ 2-16-619 (2022)," accessed October 16, 2023
