KELLEY DURBIN-WILLIAMS
Active candidates for Senate District 45
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.
Born: Kansas City, Missouri Age 54 Home: Huson, MT (MT resident for 25 yrs) Owner/Founder of Mismo Gymnastics 23 yrs Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science - FHSU, Hays, Kansas 1994
My experience as a business owner in Missoula has uniquely prepared me to serve as a legislator. With my dedicated team, I have successfully navigated recessions, a pandemic, and significant shifts in the business landscape. Mismo employs 42 individuals serving over 1,000 families annually.
My life's work has focused on serving people, grounded in the core values of integrity, hard work, and courage. As your Senator for SD 45, I will prioritize our community's needs over party interests, unite on common ground, and keep Montana independent and strong!
As I engage with community members, I consistently hear about the pressing issues of housing and property tax. Gianforte's task forces have developed several promising proposals that I support as potential legislation for 2025.
Medicaid expansion is critical to the well-being of many individuals and families in our district. This program must continue until we can implement a viable alternative that meets the needs of our residents. Originally passed by a narrow margin, If we fail to renew it, the repercussions will be felt acutely in SD 45.
Other critical issues; school funding, public safety, support for small businesses, and mental health. Montana is precious, it will take courage to maintain the freedom and civility we treasure.
The latest report from the Governor’s Housing Task Force, dated August 21, 2024, presents 23 new recommendations focused on building regulation reform and financial solutions. After reviewing the initial report, I believe the greater challenge lies in finding a balance between state government recommendations and local government support.
It is crucial that any laws enacted align with the needs and desires of the communities they impact. I lean towards keeping decisions as local as possible, ensuring that our solutions reflect the unique characteristics of each community.
I also recognize the importance of carefully considering whether subsidies are appropriate in this context.
For the past 40 years, I’ve dedicated my life to promoting physical and mental health through sports. The draft version of the Montana State Health Improvement Plan focuses on critical areas like behavioral health, cardiovascular health, and maternal health—issues that are very close to my heart. Solutions often come down to simple but powerful choices: getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, practicing meditation, and managing stress.
However, we must be cautious about the influence of big pharmaceutical companies and large agricultural interests on our health policies. Their agendas can sometimes overshadow the needs of everyday people. Let's create policy to, "Make America Healthy Again." RFK
It’s clear that the current school funding formula is not meeting the financial demands necessary to operate quality schools in Montana. To attract and retain the best educators, we need to offer competitive salaries that also reflect the rising housing costs in our state. At the same time, we cannot keep relying on local families to bear the financial burden through levies, which only serve to drive young people out of our communities.
As we approach the Decennial Study of School Funding in 2025, it’s crucial that we elect representatives who share a commitment to ensuring a free and robust public education for all. Together, we can work toward a system that supports both our educators and our students.
MTFP COVERAGE
Election outcomes
No party primary was conducted.
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.