Flathead County has an independent Elections Department after county commissioners last month hired Paula Buff as the new elections administrator. 

The Northwest Montana county joins multiple counties across the state in a growing movement to convert election departments to an independent agency.  

The role of elections administrator was previously entwined with the Flathead County Clerk and Recorder, a politically elected position, held by Debbie Pierson. Pierson asked county officials in November to separate the elections administrator duties, pointing to the growing complexity surrounding elections.  

“Elections have become more and more demanding over the years,” Pierson said during a commissioners meeting in late November, “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.”   

In that meeting, county officials took the first step in creating an independent Elections Department by approving a new elections administrator role.  

The move yields several key benefits in administering fair and secure elections, Pierson said before the vote, such as allowing the county to select a candidate based on education level, background experience and technological proficiency. It also cuts the role’s affiliation with any political party, a big step in building public trust with election oversight. 

County officials agreed the separation of duties was key in promoting transparency and public trust in election oversight. Commissioner Randy Brodehl was particularly moved to remove any apparent conflict of interest during elections when the clerk and recorders' position appears 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 approved in November. Buff’s starting annual salary is $87,243. 

“As Flathead County moves towards to an independent Elections Department, Paula Buff brings the right mix of technical expertise and hands-on election experience,” said County Administrator Pete Melnick in an email to the Inter Lake. “She has already raised the bar for how elections are administered here, and the Board of Commissioners is confident in her leadership as our new Elections Administrator.” 

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