13-37-125. Powers of county attorney to investigate. (1) Nothing in chapter 35 of this title or this chapter prevents a county attorney from inspecting any records, accounts, or books that must be kept pursuant to the provisions of chapter 35 of this title or this chapter that are held by a political committee or candidate involved in an election to be held within the county. However, the inspections must be conducted during reasonable office hours.

Terms Used In Montana Code 13-37-125

  • Candidate: means :

    (a)an individual who has filed a declaration or petition for nomination, acceptance of nomination, or appointment as a candidate for public office as required by law;

    (b)for the purposes of chapter 35, 36, or 37, an individual who has solicited or received and retained contributions, made expenditures, or given consent to an individual, organization, political party, or committee to solicit or receive and retain contributions or make expenditures on the individual's behalf to secure nomination or election to any office at any time, whether or not the office for which the individual will seek nomination or election is known when the:

    (i)solicitation is made;

    (ii)contribution is received and retained; or

    (iii)expenditure is made; or

    (c)an officeholder who is the subject of a recall election. See Montana Code 13-1-101

  • Election: means a general, special, or primary election held pursuant to the requirements of state law, regardless of the time or purpose. See Montana Code 13-1-101
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Political committee: means a combination of two or more individuals or a person other than an individual who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure:

    (i)to support or oppose a candidate or a committee organized to support or oppose a candidate or a petition for nomination;

    (ii)to support or oppose a ballot issue or a committee organized to support or oppose a ballot issue; or

    (iii)to prepare or disseminate an election communication, an electioneering communication, or an independent expenditure. See Montana Code 13-1-101

(2)A county attorney may:

(a)administer oaths and affirmations;

(b)subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance;

(c)take evidence; and

(d)require the production of any books, correspondence, memoranda, bank account statements of a political committee or candidate, or other records that are relevant or material for the purpose of conducting any investigation pursuant to the provisions of chapter 35 of this title or this chapter.