CHRISTOPHER ST JEAN
Active candidates for House District 83
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 in Florida and will be 49 years old by Election Day 2024. I reside in Helena, Montana, and work as a professional with extensive experience in multiple states. I hold a Master's degree, reflecting my commitment to education and continuous improvement. My diverse background, including my deep understanding of different regional economies and cultures, equips me uniquely to address the varied needs of Montana's constituents. My education and career have honed my problem-solving and leadership skills, essential for an effective legislator dedicated to serving and representing the interests of all Montanans.
As we approach the 2025 session, critical issues for Montana include managing growth thoughtfully, enhancing community safety, and preserving our cherished state values. I propose legislation to support law enforcement and expand mental health services, ensuring our communities are safe and nurturing.
Additionally, I will champion policies that safeguard Montana's cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes, promoting sustainable growth that respects our traditions. These initiatives are vital for maintaining our quality of life and ensuring Montana remains a welcoming and vibrant place for all families.
Addressing rising residential property taxes is crucial. I support reviewing and refining our property tax system, including necessary revisions to the homestead exemption to reduce the property tax burden for full time Montana residents and homeowners.
Importantly, I am completely opposed to introducing any sales tax in Montana, as it contradicts our state’s fiscal principles. Instead, I advocate for more efficient use of existing resources and exploring alternative revenue measures that do not increase financial strain on Montana families. This approach ensures essential services are maintained without compromising our economic values.
To enhance healthcare access, the Legislature should focus on establishing regional psychiatric care centers to provide specialized support, replacing the Montana State Hospital system. This initiative would specifically target mental health services, ensuring those most in need receive appropriate care. Additionally, we must expand rural health services and telemedicine for physical health care, improving accessibility for all Montanans, regardless of location. By improving the efficiency of health programs and fostering partnerships with non-profits, we can enhance service delivery and manage costs effectively. Prioritizing these areas ensures comprehensive health support, promoting overall well-being across the state.
To ensure our young students and future workforce are well-prepared, I support revising our state's school funding formula to better meet the needs of K-12 education and vocational training programs. This adjustment would focus on enhancing resources for skills-based education, particularly for older youth and young adults, ensuring they gain practical and valuable skills for today’s job market. By investing in these areas, we’re not only supporting academic achievement but also providing vital career pathways that strengthen our communities and boost economic growth. Adequate, sustainable funding for these educational sectors is essential for the long-term prosperity of our state.
MTFP COVERAGE
Election outcomes
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| WES FEIST | 816 | |
| CHRISTOPHER ST JEAN | 426 |
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.