Montana State Senator, District 17
Your representative and state lawmaker in Montana State Senate
Full office description
- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the Montana Senate. The Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Senators are elected to a 4-year term. Individuals can serve no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.
How this impacts you
Voting Access — State lawmakers can impact how easy it is to vote and how secure elections are. For example, state lawmakers can affect rules around mail-in voting, such as requiring a reason to mail-in vote or preventing someone else from turning in your ballot on your behalf.
Policing — State lawmakers play an important part in divvying up the state budget. They decide how much funding goes to state law enforcement and what practices those officers must follow.
Candidates (1)
Bob Phalen
(R)
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Bob Phalen is running for this race unopposed.Read profile