BECKY EDWARDS
Active candidates for House District 61
Republican
Democrat
ON THE ISSUES
Answers here were solicited from legislative candidates via a written questionnaire in April 2024, conducted in collaboration between MTFP and the Montana League of Women Voters. Responses here are presented exactly as submitted, without fact-checking or editing for minor punctuation or spelling errors. Readers can access the league's Vote411 resource here.
Legislative candidates who haven't submitted answers to these questions can do so at any time by contacting montanalwv@gmail.com or calling 406-233-9015.
I was born and raised on a corn, soybean, and beef farm in eastern Iowa. I attended college at Montana State University in Bozeman, and have lived in Bozeman and am now raising my family here for 26 years. I am the executive director of a conservation nonprofit called the Mountain Mamas, who focus on elevating women's voices regarding conservation issues. I also co-own a marketing firm that assists in communications efforts for entities like the City of Bozeman, Headwaters Economics, Madison Valley Bank, United States Forest Service, and many more. For many years, I was a mountaineering guide, and traveled the world extensively climbing and skiing. For the past 15 years, I've devoted my career to influencing federal and state legislation.
SB442 and the voter-supported and driven efforts to provide conservation financing to the state is very top of mind for myself. Gov. Gianforte is ignoring the will of the voters, and that must be rectified. Additionally, threats and targeted legislation that would alter or change our Montana constitution - especially women's ability to care for our bodies as we see fit - are very concerning. Stomping down efforts and proposed legislation that would compromise women's access to healthcare must be stopped, and I would absolutely support any legislation that would permanently support a woman's right to choose and provide an insurance policy to our state constitution. Additionally, we must fund, support, and protect our public schools.
The increase in property taxes has effected nearly every homeowner in Montana, apparently except for Gov. Gianforte. we must find relief, and explore other areas of taxation to support essential services. I would propose steeper taxes on second and third homeowners, as well as ensure large businesses are paying their fair share. Additionally, some sales tax options on an individual city or county scale basis could be explored, perhaps for non-essential items (so excluding food, healthcare items, etc.) Asking residential homeowners to bear the brunt of the tax burden is simple not fair, or tenable for hard-working Montanans.
The cuts to Medicare this fall were heartbreaking. Medicare expansion is vital to help support ALL Montanans, especially those that fall in the cracks of the income brackets in the Health Care Marketplace. The legislature MUST expand healthcare access for all, and especially provide comprehensive mental health support and access. I was able to tour the Community Health Partners site in Bozeman, and was blown away with the mental, dental, and physical health services they provide. These facilities are needed in more places across Montana, and we must work to help fund efforts to grow access to quality care, at a low-to-free cost.
As a recipient of a quality public school education, and as a daughter of two public school educators, a sister-in-law to a public school administrator, and mother of three daughters who are currently receiving a public school education, I see how hard our educators work over the years and struggle to find enough funding to pay teachers a living wage, pay for books and needed supplies, and maintain school playgrounds, ball fields, and facilities. We MUST invest in our public schools, and the teachers, administrators, and support staff that educate the coming generations. We must study and identify opportunities to expand public school funding and support.
MTFP COVERAGE
Election outcomes
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| BECKY EDWARDS | 692 |
Common voting questions
When are Montana’s 2024 elections?
Voters picked party nominees for the November general election in the June 4 primary. The November General Election that will decide the ultimate winner in each race is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Who runs Montana’s elections?
Montana elections are administered at the county level. The process is overseen by county clerks and election administrators, who help to train and monitor the volunteer election judges that staff the polls. Ballots are typically processed and counted at central county locations, with the results reported to the Montana secretary of state’s office via a statewide software system called ElectMT.
Once polls close, the secretary of state’s office provides results through its website. The state-level office also provides guidance to local election administrators to ensure compliance with state election laws. Additionally, enforcing compliance with some laws governing political campaigns, particularly those involving campaign finance, falls to a separate office known as the Commissioner of Political Practices.
Do I need to be registered in order to vote?
Yes. If you’re unsure about your registration status, you can check it through the Montana secretary of state's My Voter Page. You can register to vote by stopping by your county election office any time during regular business hours to pick up an application. After you’ve filled it out, you’ll need to get it back to your county election office by mail or in person (the latter option is strongly recommended close to Election Day to ensure your application is received in time). If you do present your application in person, you’ll have to provide a photo ID or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you happen to be applying for a Montana driver’s license or identification card before the election, you can register to vote at the same time.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes. The state Legislature has sought to enact an earlier registration deadline, but under a March 2024 ruling by the Montana Supreme Court, same-day voter registration remains legal in Montana. Residents can register to vote or update their voter registration at their county’s election office prior to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Does Montana have voter ID requirements?
Yes, you will be required to present identification when voting at the polls. However, under the Montana Supreme Court’s March ruling, changes made to those requirements by the 2021 Legislature remain blocked. The current forms of identification voters can use at the polls are a current Montana driver’s license, state-issued photo ID, tribal or military photo ID, a U.S. passport or a student ID. If you don’t have a photo ID, you can use a utility bill, a bank statement, a voter confirmation card or any other government document that shows your name and address.
Are there situations where I wouldn't be eligible to vote?
According to state law, you can't vote if you'll be under age 18 on Election Day, are not a U.S. citizen, or have lived in Montana less than 30 days. Convicted felons who are currently incarcerated in a penal facility and people whom judges have ruled to be of "unsound mind" are also ineligible to vote. Otherwise, you're good to go.
Can I vote online?
No, that’s not an option in Montana.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes, you can sign up as an absentee voter by checking a box on your voter registration form. If you’re already registered to vote, you can fill out a separate form and submit it to your county election office.
If you’re registered as an absentee voter, a ballot should be mailed to you a few weeks in advance of each election day. You can make sure your address is current via the My Voter page. County election officials are slated to mail ballots to voters for the November 2024 General Election Oct. 11.
You can return ballots by mail, or drop them off in person at your county’s election office. Either way, the election office must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to count it.
How do I vote in person?
If you plan to vote at the polls, just be sure you know where your polling location is and head there between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. You'll need to provide a photo ID or other accepted form of identification and sign the precinct register, at which point you’ll get your ballot and be directed to a voting booth. If you have any technical questions or run into any problems, the election judges at your polling place should be able to help you.
I have a friend or family member who isn't able to drop off his or her mail-in ballot. Can I do it for them?
Yes, you can. The Montana Legislature did make some changes to ballot collection laws in 2021 related to paid ballot collection, but those changes have also been blocked by the Montana Supreme Court.
Who should I vote for?
That’s your call, not ours. We hope the information we present on this guide is helpful as you make that decision for yourself, though.
About this project
This guide was produced by the Montana Free Press newsroom with production by Eric Dietrich, web development by Eric Dietrich and Jacob Olness, editing by Brad Tyer and Nick Ehli and contributions from Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Mara Silvers, Alex Sakariassen, Amanda Eggert and Stephanie Farmer. Questionnaire responses for legislatiive candidates were collected with help from the Montana League of Women Voters, through the league's Vote 411 program. Contact Eric Dietrich with questions, corrections or suggestions at edietrich@montanafreepress.org.
Montana Free Press is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit, reader-supported news organization serving Montana. MTFP's donor base includes supporters from across Montana's political spectrum, including some Montanans who are candidates in this year's election. MTFP's major donors are listed here and a current list of other supporters is available here. MTFP's news judgments are made entirely independently from donor involvement.
This material is available for republication by other media outlets under Montana Free Press' standard distribution terms.