Deadline Thursday to file for vacancy

Residents of Flathead County Commissioner District 1 have until Thursday to file for the vacancy created on the county commission by the death of Commissioner Jim Dupont on Monday.

Because the vacancy occurred more than 75 days before the June 5 primary election, voters must choose a commissioner to serve until Dupont’s term would have ended in 2014. 

However, Dupont’s seat won’t stay vacant until January when a new commissioner is seated. A commissioner will be appointed to serve in the interim until someone is elected, Deputy Flathead County Attorney Tara Fugina said. 

To fill the vacancy, the county Republican Central Committee must submit names of three candidates who live in District 1 to the county commissioners. Commissioners can appoint one of the nominees or ask for a different slate of nominees.

State law doesn’t specify a time frame by which the central committee must make its nominations, Fugina said.

District 1 covers the area north of Kalispell including Whitefish, Columbia Falls and the Canyon.

County voters also will elect a new commissioner in District 3 this year as the term of Dale Lauman expires at the end of 2012. Five Republicans and one Democrat filed for that position.