DAVE FERN
Active candidates for Senate District 2
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.
Providence RI, Aug 2,1953 Self-employed RI Community College, Ithaca College
The cost of housing, being a mortgage or rental prices are beyond the reach of many workers in my district. I would propose a review and update of HB 819 which starts with shared equity ownership program, and low interest loans for attainable housing. I would also look to update or amend, if necessary, SB 382, The MT Land use Planning Act. I would propose legislation that creates a state tax credit for workforce housing to work in tandem with LITC, the federal low income tax credit program. Residential property taxes through appraisals that often don't reflect wealth of an individual is a pressing issue as well for many homeowners and renters in my district.
I was appointed by the governor to serve on the Property Tax Task Force, to clearly identify the problems occurring with our property tax system and offer remedies. I look forward to our recommendations and my role in potentially sponsoring bills to mitigate excessively high taxes in many areas of Montana. Specifically, about 20% of the residential property tax portfolio is comprised of out of state owners who are likely part time residents. Perhaps we need to bifurcate the residency category or consider a higher rate for residential taxable values but at the same time offer discounted appraisal values for full time residents. We have about 15 active tax categories, so we need to avoid substantial tax shifts as we address the inequities.
All Montanan's need health insurance and while impossible to mandate such an outcome, the closer to 100% coverage critical mental and physical healthcare services become more easily available. I think all forms of Medicaid need to be available to eligible Montana's. Last session the legislature fully funded the medicaid reimbursement rate for providers, If the rate falls behind as has been occurring, providers cannot afford to stay in business. We must stay up to date by addressing funding needs every. session. In 2025 Medicaid Expansion is up for reauthorization. A very high percentage of participants are low wage working Montanan's who's access to health care is dependent on the program. Expansion keeps our very rural hospitals afloat.
First and foremost is the need to fix residential property taxes, so especially the middle class can afford potential increases that may occur with any substantial boost to K-12 funding. There is currently funding that addresses per/student increases up to 3% per year. To address the higher inflation rates of the near past and look at overall boost of the career earning potential of an educator, the state should be willing to provide budget authority to districts to increases through the next biennium budget of a minimum of 5%/year and provide additional state funding for the middle portion of the funding formula known as Guaranteed Tax Base. We must be aware of unfunded liabilities for pensions and study district consolidations.
MTFP COVERAGE
Election outcomes
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| DAVE FERN | 2,317 |
Common voting questions
When are Montana’s 2024 elections?
Voters will pick which candidates advance to the November general election in the June primary, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4. Voters will pick the candidates who will ultimately fill each office on the ballot in the November election, which 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 June 2024 primary election May 10.
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 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, 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 and web development by Eric Dietrich, 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.