Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday made the first step in transitioning the county to an independent Elections Department by approving a new elections administrator position.  

The role was previously entwined with the Flathead County Clerk and Recorder, a politically elected position. But with the growing number of elections and influx of new election laws passed by the state Legislature each year, county officials saw a need to separate the elections administrator as its own department head.  

“I feel like this is just a step in the right direction for Flathead County,” said County Clerk and Recorder Debbie Pierson. “Elections have become more and more demanding over the years, so it just makes good sense for there to be a department head-level person that's over that department and can focus solely on that department.” 

Commissioners Pamela Holmquist and Randy Brodehl approved a resolution to separate the duties of elections administrator from county clerk and recorder, creating a non-elected position. Commissioner Brad Abell was absent from the meeting. 

County officials agreed the separation of duties was key in promoting transparency and public trust in election oversight. Brodehl was particularly motivated to remove any apparent conflict of interest during elections when the clerk and recorders' own position appeared on the ballot.  

“It sets itself up for lack of transparency,” he said.  

The elections administrator will be supervised by the Flathead County administrator and report directly to county commissioners, according to the resolution.  

The county Clerk and Recorder agreed to provide staffing from her department to assist the Elections Department. 

“There's an awful lot of manpower that goes into managing the election,” said County Administrator Pete Melnick. “To be honest, the entire county would pitch in.” 

Pierson approached county officials earlier this month with the request to separate election duties from her office. The move would yield several key benefits, she said, such as allowing county commissioners to select a candidate based on their level of education, background experience and technological proficiency.    

Cutting the position’s affiliation with a political party is a big step in building public trust in election oversight, she said.   

“There is no room for any partisan politics or processes involved in the decision-making that has to go on for elections,” Pierson said. 

County officials have not yet determined a salary or posted an official description for the elections administrator position. 

Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected].